Service

Service to Others

At St. Charles we understand that part of answering the call of Jesus Christ is being of service to those around us. St. Charles School participates in many programs that allow our students to serve others in need. In addition to the service projects listed below, students have other opportunities to assist and support programs, such as PROLIFE Across AMERICA, Franciscan Brothers of Peace, and Sharing and Caring Hands. Support for these types of programs has included but not limited to bake sales, Jeans Pass for Charity days, and food collection drives. Our 7th and 8th grade students are required to perform a minimum of 45 hours of service during these two years reinforcing our commitment to serving others.

• Feed My Starving Children
  St. Charles students in 4th through 8th grade spend a day each year at Feed My Starving Children in Coon Rapids. This organization provides a great connection between our students and third-world countries. Students pack meals that go to those in need around the world and before they leave the site they find out how many meals they provided. It’s usually 50,000 or more!
• Partnership with Mustard Seed Communities 
  St. Charles partners with Mustard Seed Communities in Jamaica to provide care and support for abandoned children and adults with disabilities. Since 1978, they have been serving and uplifting communities in four ways: providing caring homes for the most vulnerable, sharing daily meals for over 1,200 children, training in agriculture and education, and spiritual growth with formation programs and prayer. Read more about Mustard Seed Communities here.
• Cards for local Nursing homes
  This is an act of service that our Kindergarten through 3rd grade students participate in each year. The students send messages of love and care through handmade cards. These cards go to elderly members of our community who take great joy in receiving these greetings.
• Dollar Out-of-Uniform Days
  Sometimes service and supporting others can be fun! These days happen throughout the year when students are allowed to be out of uniform and in turn make a donation of $1 or more toward a certain cause or need.
• Thanksgiving Food Drive
  This food drive gives our student the opportunity to contribute to those struggling in our local community. Each year St. Charles collects hundreds of pounds of food for the local food shelf.
• Operation Rice Bowl
  This project usually coincides with Lent and supports worldwide efforts by Catholic Relief Services. This is another project that reaches those members of our global community living in extreme poverty.