Volunteers with disabilities assist St. Matthew’s House to feed families

Eager volunteers from a trailblazing academy are helping families in their community.

Members of nonprofit organization STARability helped pack food Thursday for families at St. Matthew’s House.

“We have STARability, which is an agency that gives life skills for people with disabilities, and they’re volunteering today,” said Lorna McClain, the food assistance manager for St. Matthew’s House.

Seven eager volunteers arrived bright and early, ready to work.

“I am here for helping the homeless right now and filling a bag of rice with my new friend,” said Caitlin Roggia.

“This is the first time that here at the warehouse we are working with STARability, and it’s very welcoming,” McClain said. “It’s very amazing to see.”

McClain told us she’s grateful for the help.

“Right now is our lowest season of volunteers, and we just found a perfect fit,” McClain said.

Madison McNally, the STARability program director, said this is exactly the kind of work her volunteers want to do.

“Whether they’re on the pathway for a vocational aspiration or a life skill aspiration, they are learning the skills, so they can become more independent,” McNally said.

St. Matthew’s House asked the STARability crew to pack 200 bags of rice.

“They’ve exceeded that, and they are up to almost 400 bags of rice that we’re putting in boxes for families in the community,” McNally said.

“We fill them and give them to the homeless,” Roggia said.

Thursday was the first time St. Matthew’s House and STARability worked together, and it won’t be the last. STARability hopes to volunteer twice a week with the nonprofit.