Established in 1983, Resurrection Catholic Church first convened at a campground in Riverview until its building was completed in 1988. Since its humble beginnings, Dianne Priolo has been a parish member and the director of the church’s food pantry. Before Resurrection Catholic Church moved to its permanent structure, Priolo was distributing nonperishable food items from three shelves in her garage.
For more than 30 years, Priolo and a core group of volunteers have fed hundreds of struggling families in the Riverview area and beyond.
“We are here to help,” said Priolo. “Everybody has had a difficult time at some point, and the Lord tells us to help each other. And many of those we have helped have come back to help us in the pantry.”
The food pantry is open for food distribution on Wednesdays 7-10 a.m. and serves about 75 needy families each week. Volunteers are needed on distribution days but also on Mondays from 9-11 a.m. to sort food donations and fill food boxes.
Priolo’s servant heart has not only made an impact on the Riverview community but also on her three children. Her daughter Amy Scolaro, now an adult and Valrico resident, witnessed her mother serving while growing up. Today, Scolaro continues to support the food pantry as well as other volunteer organizations.
“She led by example,” said Scolaro. It just became second nature to want to ‘Do good and be good.’”
With the holiday season approaching, Priolo mentioned the need for the traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas sides. Monetary and nonperishable food donations may be dropped off during the church’s office hours, which are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m.-12 Noon and 1-5 p.m.
Scolaro continued, “It’s a simple concept of the ripple effect. Almost everyone we have helped ends up helping someone else. And the ripple continues far beyond what only one person can do.”
To volunteer, call 677-2175 or http://resurrectioncatholicriverview.com. Resurrection Catholic Church is located at 6819 Krycul Ave. in Riverview.
