Warrington schools collected essential items for the homeless through the “Hope in a Bag” initiative, showcasing community spirit and generosity.
This project aligns with Pope Francis’s call for a Year of Jubilee in 2025. He encourages Catholics to be “Pilgrims of Hope” for a better world.
The Catholic schools kicked off this initiative on January 24. They wanted to mark the start of the Jubilee.
The SVP societies from Cardinal Newman Catholic High School and St Peter’s RC Primary School led the effort. They rallied support from all 15 Catholic primary schools in the area.
They collected items like sleeping bags, toothbrushes, and toiletries for those without homes. These items were packed into rucksacks for distribution.
The bags were set to be delivered on January 24 to “Room at the Inn,” a local support service. Volunteer students from the schools collected donations in a minibus.
The response was overwhelming. The minibus filled up multiple times, leading to two extra days of collections. All donations were successfully delivered on January 26.
Louise James, the chaplain at Cardinal Newman, praised the schools’ efforts. She noted how every school collected so much to help those in need.
Helen Lea, headteacher of St. Peter’s, highlighted the strong community spirit among students, parents, and staff. She expressed gratitude for the support received for this event.
The schools involved included St Vincent’s, St Augustine’s, St Joseph’s, and many more. Each school played a vital role in making the “Hope in a Bag” project a success.
