
CV NEWS FEED // To help Catholics fulfill their Lenten obligation of almsgiving as well as gather food for the poor, the Knights of Columbus (KofC) have been conducting their annual “40 Cans for Lent” food drive since 2011—and it’s experienced enormous success.
The Knights of Columbus’ newsroom reported that the original concept was born in Helotes, Texas, where Knight Dennis Chaput heard God ask him to start a food drive one night.
“I didn’t create this; I just listened,” Chaput told KofC. “Forty Cans for Lent is God’s plan. When we do this food drive, we honor Him because this is what He’s called us to do.”
“Our slogan is ‘I can, you can, we can.’ I can donate and you can donate, we all can donate and then we make a difference in this world for Jesus Christ,” he continued.
The idea behind the food drive is to ask parishioners to bring just a few grocery items for the food pantry—one can for every day of Lent. Since its inception in March 2011, the initiative has collected thousands of pounds of food, as well as brought in thousands of dollars in donations for charities.
For example, Chaput’s council in Texas has collected roughly 221,000 pounds of food and collected over $56,000 in 13 years. In a little more than 10 years, three councils in Maine have collected more than 7,000 pounds of food, and they’re upping their goal to 7,600 pounds this Lent.
“We try to help our community and our parish all year round,” said Kevin Curtis, Grand Knight of Council 11747 in Scarborough, Maine. “But this particular project is very impactful — there’s a big need. Our parishioners have come to know that it’s going to happen and are very happy to support it.”
Curtis also told KofC that the idea has spread—other Christian churches and food banks in the area have begun holding similar food drives as well.
Chaput concluded by encouraging every council to hold a Lenten food drive, but added that they don’t necessarily need to stick with the 40 Days for Lent plan.
“God has called the Knights of Columbus to fight hunger, and each council can do it their own way,” he said. “How you donate and how you distribute the food is up to you; find a food bank and donate locally. But just do it.”
