St. Michael’s Church and School have been longtime partners of Casa Maria Soup Kitchen, a place where the Catholic Worker community quietly and faithfully embodies Christ’s hands in Tucson. Their hospitality, humility, and constant service to our neighbors experiencing food and housing insecurity inspire us year after year.

Students across campus support Casa Maria in simple but meaningful ways. For several years, classes have joined “The Great Eggspectations” competition—seeing who can bring in the most hard-boiled eggs for Casa Maria’s meals. (At the moment, the Class of 2028 is holding onto its lead and may secure the trophy for the third year in a row!)

Casa Maria is always in need of plastic grocery bags for their to-go lunches, and our Student Council has stepped up all year to “Help Casa Maria BAG Hunger” by collecting and donating bags for daily use.

As part of their yearlong service-learning focus on food insecurity, our 8th graders have been visiting Casa Maria monthly. Students from Mr. Antista’s advisory helped assemble lunches to include sandwiches, salty and sweet snacks, yogurt or cheese, an apple, and, of course, a hard-boiled egg all carefully packed in those indispensable plastic bags. Another group worked across the street preparing donated clothing, fruit, and chicken for distribution.

After the morning’s work, students stayed to participate in Mass with clients, staff, and volunteers as Casa Maria celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Many of our students were delighted to put their Spanish language skills to use in prayer and song.

On a cold December morning, a warm cup of soup, a bag of food to-go, and a few extra layers of clothing made a real difference to many who gathered. Our students were moved by the sincere gratitude of Casa Maria’s guests and the humble, joyful spirit of the volunteers who serve them daily.

We are grateful for the St. Michael’s community, students, families, parishioners whose small acts of giving help sustain the extraordinary work happening at Casa Maria. When our small contributions join the daily labor of these incredible volunteers and staff, they become real hope for real people.

Thank you, Casa Maria, for showing us what love in action looks like.