Father Les Costello established a mission in the name of St. Martin de Porres, the patron saint of the poor, in 1979 at St. Alphonsus Parish Schumacher. The mission supplied everything from food to furniture and clothing. He enlisted the help of Father Dan Bagley and Father Pat Lafleur of the Nativity of Our Lord Parish with raising funds for the mission and campaigned tirelessly to ensure that needy families did not go without.
It is fitting that St. Martin de Porres Community Charities is opened at the Costello Community Care Centre the former Nativity of our Lord Parish because Father Les served as parish priest there before going to St. Alphonsus.
Father Les was a very private person and did not like a lot of protocol, if he was here today he would be asking what all the fuss was about but he would be impressed with having St. Martin de Porres work continued and the opening of the food bank June 2006.
There would be times when someone would say to him why are you helping these people and he would answer, don’t judge.
St. Martin de Porres Board of Directors is continuing the work of Father Les by distributing furniture and operating a food bank and a thrift shop. Money raised from the sale of household items and furniture goes towards the food bank. We are accepting donations of food, furniture and household items also we really need volunteers to help us continue with Father Les’s work.
Anyone who needs help or has donations or is willing to volunteer can call the food bank at (705) 264-0953 and if need be, leave a message and someone will return the call.