13th Annual “40 Cans for Lent” Food Drive

Did you know that 40 Cans for Lent started in Helotes at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church? It is a program designed to help fight hunger. An opportunity to make a small sacrifice and turn it into a big difference in the lives of others. All you need to do is collect one can of food per day during the 40 days of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, and then one extra can per person on Easter Sunday. Drop off your cans at any time throughout the season to any church, organization, or charity that collects and distributes food to those in need.

40 Cans for Lent was founded on September 25, 2010, by Dennis Chaput, who woke up suddenly, needing food to raise his blood sugar. He got up, ate, and, while waiting for sleep to return, was given a vision from God. In this vision, God outlined a plan to fight hunger around the world. God told him…as you prepare for Easter by sacrificing during Lent, remember the 40 days and nights that Christ spent in the desert, without food or water, praying and preparing for his sacrifice on behalf of mankind. During this season of Lent, have each person donate one can of food each day. God called his plan, 40 Cans for Lent, and asked Dennis, “Will you feed my people?”  Dennis said, “Yes!”

This year’s 40 Cans for Lent canned food drive, benefiting the St. Vincent de Paul Helotes Food Pantry, starts on Ash Wednesday, February 22, and runs through Easter Sunday, April 9. For more information, visit www.40cansforlent.org and www.kc-olg@org.