Ms. Ercelle Drayton, Food Ministry Coordinator - [email protected]  757-351-6550

The Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (BSMIC) is the only African-American Basilica in the United States and a pillar of support to the needs of our people in the Tidewater region. The Basilica Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen distributes food throughout the year to individuals and families in need. We provide meals to the homeless, homeless veterans, and the poor including children who are not receiving federally funded breakfast/lunch school meals while school is not in session.

Due to the high number of families requesting food assistance from the BSMIC Food Pantry we currently offer meals 4 days a week, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to an average of 600 families per week.

It is a humbling, gratifying and overwhelming feeling to watch our guests receive not a bag of just a few canned goods, but a cornucopia of nutritious meat, fruit, vegetables as well as other items to help them feel a sense of dignity in providing for their families. We know that we are following the command to “feed my sheep.”