Serve through Outreach - Transfiguration
Our Catholic Social Teachings tell us that we must care for each other. On other pages in this website, we list the ministries where we serve each other (Serve at Mass, Serve at Church, Serving You). Here is where we list the ministries where we serve those in need, locally, nationally and internationally.
Work of Our Hands
The WOOH group meets the second and fourth Thursday of every month at Transfiguration to knit and crochet garments for those in need. The hats, scarves, mittens and shawls they create are donated to local charities and the homeless. There is a stock of yarn and knitting needles if you are new to knitting/crocheting and would like to learn!
The Don Cushing Memorial Gift Garden
There is a huge garden behind Transfiguration's back parking lot - our Gift Garden. Volunteers till, plant and tend all summer our organically grown vegetables and flowers. Volunteers are always needed and community service hours are available for our teens. Each year this garden supplies up to a ton of fresh, organically grown vegetables to: Pittsford Food Cupboard, Blessed Sacrament, St. Joseph's House of Hospitality and other local ministries. For more information, contact Terry Jahnke at terry.jahnke24@gmail.com (585-381-9826) or Diana Hamann at kwhamann@rochester.rr.com .
Monthly Food Collection
On the first full weekend of every month, Transfiguration has a food collection for a local organization or food pantry. A small list of dedicated volunteers delivers the donations from the church to the receiving organization. We also have many other opportunities to help our partner organizations with deliveries of donations from our church and local foodbanks. If you want to be added to the list of delivery drivers, please contact Margie Benza (Staff Contact Us or call the parish office).
Thanksgiving Turkey Drive
Every Thanksgiving we collect turkeys (frozen, or roasted, sliced and then frozen) for local food cupboards, soup kitchens and agencies. Our parish is incredibly generous, with over 150 turkeys and all the fixings being donated every year. If you are interested in helping with this ministry, either by assisting in the organizing, collection, delivery or donating, please contact Denise Nunziato at dnvoluteer9099@gmail.com (note spelling, this is not a typo).
Christmas Basket Program
Each year we help many of our neighbors have brighter holidays by providing them with food and gifts for Christmas. Parishioners can adopt a family (which means purchasing food for their holidays and a modest gift for everyone in the family, and a toy for each child), or help with the parish sponsored families (selecting pre-purchased gifts and wrapping them for delivery during Pre-Assembly and Assembly days at church), or by donating to the Christmas Basket fund. in 2026, over 160 baskets were prepared, with 40 food baskets going to local agencies (La Madonna della Strada, St. Andrews Food Cupboard, Sr. Regis Food Cupboard, and Jordan Health Center) and 120+ baskets of food and gifts going to local families in need. If you wish to volunteer or want more information, please contact Margie Benza (Margie's email) or call the parish office.
Brookdale Communion Ministry
Twice per month a team of volunteers offers Communion to individuals at Brookdale. Volunteers are scheduled quarterly. If you are interested in joining the team, please contact Margie Benza (Margie's email) in the parish office.
Highlands Ministry
Twice per month a team of volunteers offers Communion to individuals at the Highlands of Pittsford. Volunteers are scheduled quarterly. If you are interested in joining the team, please contact Margie Benza (Margie's email) in the parish office.
Kentucky Men's Retreat
This is an annual week long retreat in Boonville, Kentucky where we work with the poorest of the poor, praying with each other, getting to know and supporting each other. It is a powerful part of Men's Fellowship. The retreat is usually held in September . If you are interested in learning more about this, or becoming a leader of a future retreat, please contact Rob Kozarits at rob.kozarits@gmail.com.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Ministry
Our PBJ ministry makes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a local homeless shelter. Volunteers are scheduled twice per quarter with drop-off to the Transfiguration Parish Office. Pleas contact Margie Benza for more information (Margie's email).
Open Door Mission Collaborative
The Open Door Mission (ODM) Collaborative receives excess food from local stores and restaurants. This excess food is shared with local food cupboards and ministries. Two volunteers (scheduled twice per quarter) travel to the ODM, pick up food, and transport it to a scheduled ministry. Please contact Margie Benza for more information (Margie's email).
Rochester Hope
Rochester Hope is a not for profit organization whose motto is “Bring Caring Hands to the Heart of the City.” Services are provided primarily from St. Michael's Church Campus at the corner of North Clinton and Clifford Avenues. Services provided include a food pantry, breakfast and hot lunch on Saturday, access to health care and other services through social service providers rotating in on Saturdays, and free clothing. Hundreds of families are served each weekend.
Volunteers are needed every Thursday and Saturday and for a variety of one-time opportunities. Monetary donations are appreciated and can be made through their website, rochesterhope.org. For more information on Transfiguration's involvement, contact Transfiguration parishioner Lisa Morris (lisa@lisamorris.com) or Margie Benza (Margie's email).
St. Andrews Food Cupboard
St. Andrew's Food Cupboard volunteers can work during the pantry hours of operation, 9:30-11:30 AM, Tuesday- Friday. Additional volunteers are needed during holiday seasons. Donations are always accepted, and watch for our monthly food collection bulletin notice. St. Andrew's Food Cupboard is located at 890 Portland Avenue, Rochester NY. Call Margaret Oberst at 338-1764 or Margie Benza (Margie's email) if you would like to learn more.
Global Solidarity
Global Solidarity Ministry
Our Global Solidarity Ministry (GSM) has partnered with Food for the Poor for over 11 years, helping communities in Central America with various economic development projects. We have supported projects in El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras, moving between the countries and projects as the political environment allows. This strong tradition of helping the least of our sisters and brothers beyond our borders is routed in Catholic social teachings. (Matthew 25). We are determined to commit our work to the common good. It is our goal to visit the communities we serve by immersing ourselves through annual service-learning mission trips generally held in February. For more information about this ministry and to discover how your time, talent and/or treasure can reach the families we serve, please contact Lauren Burruto at lburruto@gmail.com.
We are embarking on a 3-5 year relationship with the community of El Quebrado, El Salvador, a rural area adjacent to where we have served the last two years. Home to 290 families, the need is great to establish integrated interventions for housing, education, food security, health, water, sanitation and hygiene and social/economic empowerment.
Please contact Lauren Burruto at (585) 259-4553, or email her at: lburruto@gmail.com with any questions.
Global Solidarity Current Project - Support the community of El Quebrado
Why Support Matters
El Quebrado, a rural community in the municipality of Jiquilisco, is home to approximately 290 families who face increasing floods, droughts, and rising temperatures. These challenges continue to strain livelihoods, food security, health, and basic infrastructure.
Through consultations conducted by Food For The Poor and our trusted partner FUSAL, priority needs and contextual challenges were carefully identified. Families are experiencing interconnected vulnerabilities that limit their ability to achieve sustainable development and long-term stability.
Rooted in our Catholic faith and the call to care for the most vulnerable, your generosity becomes a living witness of Christ’s love — bringing hope, dignity, and practical support to families striving for a more secure future.
Transfiguration’s Phase One goal is $75,000 towards a $2,000,000 3-5 year project goal.
Support our Global Solidarity Project - Give to Food to the Poor
If you would like to donate to our current project El Salvador, we have several ways to do so.
Donating online is fast, easy, and totally secure. Use this link:
https://champions.foodforthepoor.org/campaign/776293/donate
However, if you would prefer to send a check or make a donation from Donor Advised Fund, please mail to Food For the Poor address below, and include the SC number listed.
Food For The Poor Inc.
Attn: Ellen Speltz
6401 Lyons Road
Coconut Creek, FL 33073
Write on the check's memo line SC 166743 Champions or SC 166744 for IRA/PPA Champions to ensure proper tracking.
THANK YOU!!!!
