St. Agnes Parish Coordinates Aid Following South American Earthquakes By Newstrix | September 18, 2026 | Community NEW YORK — St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church launched an emergency relief campaign on Sunday morning to collect financial donations and medical supplies for families affected by the recent natural disasters in South America, according to NPR. The neighborhood drive aims to support international humanitarian relief efforts currently underway in the hardesthit regions. Volunteer Teams Assemble Relief Packages in Parish Center Parish volunteers gathered in the community center on 124th Street to organize donated items, including water purification tablets, sterile bandages, and nonperishable food products. The collected goods will be systematically packed and transported to JFK International Airport for direct shipment to relief coordinates. Local families have shown immense generosity, with many bringing carloads of supplies to the church parking lot after Sunday services. The parish has also established a dedicated digital fund to collect monetary contributions, which will be wired directly to Catholic Relief Services operating on the ground. Monsignor Expresses Gratitude for Neighborhood Response "Our community has always demonstrated incredible compassion when disaster strikes, and this mobilization is no exception," Monsignor John Cacciapuoti said during his sermon Sunday morning. Cacciapuoti confirmed that the parish has already raised over $15,000 in direct emergency contributions. Several local civic organizations have partnered with the parish to expand the reach of the donation drive. Volunteers plan to keep the collection center open daily through the end of the month to handle the incoming flow of supplies. South Queens Residents Coordinate Grassroots Charity Network The local response to the South American tragedy has been amplified through digital community outreach. Neighbors are actively sharing donation guidelines and coordinate dropoff schedules on platforms like the page, which has become a central hub for organizing local charity efforts. This digital coordination allows organizers to update volunteers in realtime regarding which specific medical supplies are most urgently needed. It also helps coordinate transport vehicles to move the heavy boxes from the parish hall to the airport cargo terminals. High School Students Earn Service Hours Sorting Donations Local youth groups and high school students are playing an active role in the relief operation by volunteering after school to sort and label the incoming donations. The students are cataloging the inventory to ensure that packages meet international customs regulations before shipping. School administrators say the volunteer effort provides students with a valuable opportunity to engage in global humanitarian work while supporting their local parish. Many students have also organized minicollection drives within their own classrooms. Shipping Logistics Partner Facilitates Rapid Transit to South America A Queensbased air cargo company has agreed to donate cargo space to facilitate the rapid transport of the parish's relief packages. This partnership ensures that the collected medical supplies and water filtration units will arrive in the affected zones within 48 hours of departure. Relief coordinators emphasize that getting supplies to local hospitals quickly is critical to preventing the spread of waterborne illnesses in temporary shelters. The parish plans to send its first major cargo shipment early next week. Frequently Asked Questions What specific items are currently being accepted at the St. Agnes Parish Center? The donation center is currently prioritizing professional medical supplies (such as sterile gauze, antiseptic wipes, and firstaid kits), personal hygiene products, water purification tablets, and sealed baby formula. Due to strict international shipping regulations, the parish cannot accept used clothing, open liquids, or perishable food items at this time. How will the financial contributions be distributed to ensure they reach those in need? All monetary donations collected by St. Agnes Parish are deposited directly into a secure relief fund managed by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), an established international humanitarian agency. CRS works directly with local partners and clinics in South America to purchase and distribute food, clean water, and building materials to displaced families.
