Bazaar caps off an active year for Russellville parish’s POM
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St. Michael Parish in Russellville held its annual Parish Outreach Ministry (POM) Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 10.
The event was a resounding success, with all proceeds going to meet the needs of the Russellville community and specific needs of parish members, as well.
The POM was formed in February 2018, with the sole mission of providing support to St. Michael families with specific needs and the larger Russellville community.
Parishioners built a Blessing Box on parish property in the Fall of 2020. The box is filled twice a week with food from the St. Michael food pantry, all donated by parishioners.
The POM has also held five benefit events for parish families with significant medical needs over the past several years and through the COVID-19 pandemic, raising a total of $35,000 for those families.
The ministry has provided funds to help local residents with utility bills; given gas cards for people in need of transportation; and donated money to local schools for specific, identified needs of children and youth.
This year’s Christmas parade in Russellville was an opportunity for parishioners to reach out to the entire community by offering free food and drink in the St. Michael Parish Hall.
“This small but mighty parish really understands stewardship in terms of being a center of charity and mercy,” said St. Michael parishioner Leigh Tenkku Lepper.
“It is a great opportunity for our parish members to get involved in serving our community and we have a wonderful fellowship together as we work to serve,” she said.
