St. Ursula Academy students load truck with Christmas baskets for the poor - food, clothes and toys go to Appalachia

St. Ursula Academy Student Outreach Services (SOS) loaded a truck with presents for 250 families (approximately 600-700 children and adults combined) who live in the underprivileged Appalachian community of Martins Fork, Ky. on Dec. 7. The donated toys, food, staples, coats, jackets, other clothing, and baskets containing diapers, personal care products and household goods will be the only gifts that many of them will receive this weekend when the St. Ursula group arrives at their community. Poverty, unemployment and substandard housing are major problems in the area, in addition to families who have been impacted by the closing of coal mines in recent years.

“We have been involved with the work of Lucy’s Mission for almost 14 years now. Our students and their older sisters before them have a special place in their hearts for the community and the families we meet and serve. What a wonderful gift we receive from the people we meet during this outreach trip,” says Community Service Director Rachel Kemper. We were also able to serve three local food pantries with the proceeds of our Canned Food Drive this year.        

St. Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women.  In 2002 the academy was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. The campus, located at 1339 E. McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910.