Fr. Carr’s Place 2B offers hope, hospitality and a hot breakfast
By Michael Cooney | For On Mission
OSHKOSH — As food insecurity climbs in Oshkosh, St. Raphael the Archangel Parish volunteers showed up before sunrise at Fr. Carr’s Place 2B to offer something simple but powerful: a hot breakfast and the reassurance that no one would face hunger alone.
The Friday meal arrived at a moment when many families — especially SNAP/EBT participants — were grappling with rising grocery prices and recent disruptions in benefit distribution. The goal was not complicated: comfort, stability, and a reminder that the community is paying attention.
Executive Director Jim Boehm has heard the worries firsthand. Many pantry guests have wondered how they’ll manage the week when their benefits don’t reload on time. His message has been steady: Don’t panic. There will be food.
It’s a message that aligns with the spirit of the organization’s founder, Fr. Martin Carr, who taught volunteers, “We are not here to judge, but to serve.”
Boehm returned often to one steady point: there is enough food to go around. The challenge, he explained, is making sure it gets to the right place at the right time for the people who need it most. That commitment guides the work at Fr. Carr’s and shapes how the pantry responds when families are under pressure.
The increase in demand had begun even before the recent SNAP disruption. A year ago, Fridays averaged 90 to 100 families; in recent weeks, the number has climbed to around 150. Rising grocery prices, economic stress, and greater awareness of available services are driving the change.
When benefits don’t load or household budgets come up short, Boehm said, families rely on the pantry to fill the gap. The breakfast provided by St. Raphael’s arrived at exactly the right moment, offering both nourishment and reassurance to guests navigating an uncertain stretch.
The idea came from Sara Scheunemann, pastoral associate at St. Raphael’s, who wanted a hands-on service project for her parish.
“We scheduled this months ago,” she said. “We wanted a direct way to support families walking through these doors.”
About 15 volunteers prepared pancakes, sausage, fruit, and coffee. They also spent time at the tables, talking with guests as they ate.
“What stayed with me were the conversations,” Scheunemann said. “People shared what they’re juggling — work, rent, kids, transportation, food costs. They’re doing everything they can.”
Several pantry guests described how the breakfast changed the tone of their morning, giving them a calmer start before they faced the weekend.
Fr. Carr’s is now preparing for its annual Thanksgiving meal, one of the largest community food efforts in Oshkosh. Last year, the organization served nearly 2,000 meals; this year, they expect about 2,400.
Preparations are already underway. Staff and volunteers have started roasting 800 pounds of turkey, deboning and freezing the meat, and then reheating it in more than two dozen NESCO roasters powered by a dedicated breaker box. More than 250 volunteers will help cook, serve, and deliver meals across the city.
Boehm recalled his first Thanksgiving as director: “I walked out of nine o’clock Mass and turned the corner toward the Mother Teresa Center, and there were over 200 people waiting to deliver meals. I just broke down. I had tears in my eyes. I could not believe the love of the community to come out and help people.”
“It’s this community. We have so many instruments of the Lord’s love here. The presence of the Holy Spirit just shines through the people who come to help.
“It is truly inspiring, and it really is a day of thanksgiving to our Lord for bringing his love through all these people.”
Friday’s breakfast wasn’t just about food. It was about lowering the temperature of fear and uncertainty. For Scheunemann, Boehm, and the volunteers, the message was clear: the community is stepping up, and no one has to face hunger alone.
“When people show up for each other,” Scheunemann said, “everything feels a little more possible.”