Carlinville MFP Truck Blessing

With the cost of living only continuing to increase, rural communities across Greene, Macoupin and Montgomery counties rely on the Carlinville Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry (MFP) to deliver essential food to those in desperate situations. For the past eleven years, demand for the MFP has grown exponentially.

Once a month on a Thursday, MFP volunteers bag up nonperishable food and load the truck. The following Friday, volunteers load the perishable items and head out one of the distribution locations. Registered residents receive a bag full of grocery items including: a gallon of milk and some meat, either beef, pork or chicken. Canned and dry goods as well as fresh produce are also available at each distribution. While the volunteers handling the distribution are key, it is thanks to the refrigerated truck that these deliveries are possible.

When the engine failed on the pantry’s box truck in December of 2024, it impacted our ability to offer the mobile food pantry program to those in need in rural communities who rely on the MFP to make it paycheck to paycheck.

Now without a truck, Carlinville Catholic Charities took immediate measures to keep the routes moving. They borrowed a truck from the Springfield Catholic Charities MFP fleet, but this was only a temporary solution. Fundraising efforts began as soon as it became clear the Mobile Food Pantry would need a new truck.

Thanks to the diligence of Carlinville Area Director, Deacon Sean Caveny, his staff, and generous donors, it did not take long to acquire a new truck. The new 2024 Ford F450 refrigerated box truck is 16 foot long. Victory Lane Ford in Litchfield found a chassis to add to the truck. While the previous truck’s engine was irreparable, the hydraulic lift gate was salvaged and added to its successor.

On May 16, 2025 Deacon Sean Caveny and Very Reverend Thomas Hagstrom, V.F. Dean of the Jerseyville Deanery gathered volunteers and friends of Catholic Charities from Staunton, Carlinville, Benld and Litchfield outside of the Carlinville Catholic Charities Area Office to dedicate and bless the new truck. Deacon Sean Caveny began by reading prayers, then blessing the truck and those in attendance with Holy Water. Father Hagstrom concluded by blessing the truck and volunteers.

This ceremony celebrates the community who came together to ensure those in need have access to food. The Mobile Food Pantry is just one program of many Catholic Charities provides as part of our effort to “extend to all the healing and empowering presence of Jesus.”

Carlinville Catholic Charities dedicates its resources and staff to providing food, comfort and aid to those in need. However, these efforts would be impossible without the kindness and generosity of our donors and volunteers. Do you have room in your heart to ensure the health and wellness of your community? Consider donating online or volunteering today.

Want to help us make tangible changes for the good in your community? Consider joining our advisory board. To learn more, call the Carlinville Catholic Charities Area Office at 217-854-4511.