St Alexius Outreach Ministries

Mobile Delivery Tennessee. St. Alexius Outreach Ministries Mobile Delivery TN delivers emergency food boxes door to door to participants in a crisis who lack transportation or mobility and are unable to pick up food from the Chattanooga Area Food bank. Emergency requests are made to the United Way 211 call center and the food is delivered Monday thru Friday within a 25 mile radius of the Chattanooga central area. In 2022, SAOM delivered over 7,500 emergency food boxes to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Our program values compassion, dignity of the poor, care of the poor, holism and partnership as we engage to nourish those at risk of hunger and provide emergency assistance with healthy food.

Mobile Delivery Illinois. The Mobile Delivery in Illinois delivers food packages for low-income adult seniors and families that are homebound in the west side of Chicago. In partnership with the Franciscans of the Eucharist, the Mission of Our Lady of Angels Food Distribution Center provides food packages that SAOM delivers, at no charge each week to recipient homes or drop off points for further distribution with dignity and compassion to those in need. For 2022, SAOM delivered 10,398 food packages to individuals and families and an additional 100 "Feed to Go" bags for those on street corners or in homeless camps. Our program values compassion, dignity of the poor, care of the poor, holism and partnership as we offer physical nourishment and spiritual/holistic care for disadvantaged individuals and families. SAOM commits to prioritize racial and social economic justice and health equality.

Senior Center Food Delivery (formerly More than Food) The need for healthy accessible food has never been greater. In direct response to our community needs expressed by the United Way, the Senior Center Food Delivery ministry purchases groceries, packages and delivers supplemental bags of groceries directly to Senior Centers. Our motiviation is to create solutions to end hunger. In 2022 we provided 2,000 bags and doubled our deliveries from 5 to 10 senior centers in southeast Tennessee counties. The Senior Center Food Delivery program is a vital lifeline "answering the call" in-ongoing service to a vulnerable population lacking the means and resources to secure these basic needs.

Hospitality at Home. The Hospitality at Home program provides ongoing friendship and supportive services to assist in the alleviation of isolation and loneliness in the lives of vulnerable older adults (70+) within the greater Chattanooga, Tennessee area. After careful consideration, this program was eliminated in 2022. SAOM envisions a community where all elders, disabled and disadvantaged know they are cared for and valued. SAOM's goal is to deliver these or other similar services within all other current program services offered.

Shopping Shuttle Services. In November 2022 SAOM kicked off the Shopping Shuttle services. This program provides door to door round trip transportation to shopping facilities for older adults and disabled who reside in subsidized housing complexes in Chattanooga TN. We promote the health and welfare of vulnerable individuals by providing access to stores with nutritional food while concurrently providing opportunities for socialization. The areas of service are geographically considered food deserts, lacking adequate grocery stores, markets, and healthy food providers. A driver and social worker assist and advocate for each participant and also aide with loading and unloading of groceries. For November and December 2022 the Van Shuttle transported 320 passengers and made 80 trips. There are no fees for these services which foster independence, self-sustainability and can reduce social and economic inequalities by enhancing mobility with access to quality markets.