Upper Saddle River December 25, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 9 Church quietly fills economic gap for middle class New U.S. Census Bureau data shows that more middle-income people have moved into lower-income and poverty levels in the past three years. The data also shows that the slow economic recovery during this time didn’t arrest the slide. The Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River has always had an outreach program that more often than not, focused on the neediest communities in Paterson, Newark, and Harlem. “This year, the parish’s outreach pro- grams have seen an increase in need from more middle-class families than in the past. Thankfully, parishioners have responded to this increased need, often not realizing that many of these gifts help meet basic needs for their neighbors,” said Father Bob Stagg, pastor of Presentation. Presentation’s outreach contributes thousands of dollars worth of aid to those in need. This Christmas, there is a 20 percent increase from the past few years in families who have asked to be a part of the Adopt- a-Family program. Families in need give a wish list of what their children hope to receive for Christmas. “We also suggest that parents ask for something for themselves. Groups in the parish adopt a family and work together to meet the adopted families’ Christmas wish list,” said Margie Rightmyer, pastoral asso- ciate. Families are also given supermarket gift cards so they can buy food and medications. “We don’t ever turn anyone with a legiti- mate need away. Parishioners would be surprised that there are a number of people who have been in the parish for years who have fallen on hard times – through unem- ployment or serious health problems that insurance doesn’t fully cover,” Father Bob continued. Presentation’s Helping Hands program, a year-round effort, also helps with buying shoes or school supplies for the family. The church’s Toy Drive gathers new, unwrapped toys that go to its sister parish, Saint Patrick’s in Jersey City and to a parish in the Bronx. There are a couple of vans full of toys that are packed up and delivered just before Christmas. Operation Shoebox is the outreach effort run by Presentation’s Family Faith Forma- tion program. A Christian relief organiza- tion, Samaritans Purse, runs this project, which gives these gifts to children in des- perate situations in over 130 countries. This year, the Family Faith Formation program collected 270 shoeboxes wrapped and filled with small toys, school supplies, hygiene items, and other treats. Presentation has a soup kitchen ministry that brings and serves food in soup kitch- ens in Newark and Harlem every week. For Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter the (continued on page 14) A visit to Trenton As a part of their government studies, Bogert School fourth graders visited the State House in Trenton. Pictured is Governor Chris Christie with Mrs. Andersen’s class. (Photo courtesy of Principal Dave Kaplan.)