You may have heard of FOCUS North America— for the past nine years, our parish has partnered with them in the annual Backpack Drive to help children in need.

FOCUS (Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve) does more than just backpacks–it’s a pan-Orthodox ministry with 12 centers across the country—in cities like Philadelphia, Houston, Los Angeles, and Atlanta— where Orthodox churches and volunteers feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, support young families, and comfort those in need. A little over a year ago, our local Orthodox clergy—including St. Dimitrie—and faithful parishioners came together to explore how we could partner with FOCUS to establish a new center serving our neighbors in Bridgeport, where needs are great.

This vision was born through the prayers, encouragement, leadership, and generosity of many Orthodox churches and members in our area. This year, FOCUS Bridgeport began offering meaningful acts of service: feeding families, hosting meals, and finding ways to reflect God’s love to a watching world. This ministry not only supports those in need—it also strengthens our Orthodox community, allowing us to glorify God through service. These beginnings are a living expression of the Cross—loving our neighbors as one Orthodox family. There are many ways to help: volunteering, donating resources, or keeping this ministry in your prayers.

To learn more or get involved with FOCUS Bridgeport, please reach out to Linda Kolton at lkolton@focusna.org or 203-615-8139.

Together, we can bring Christ’s love beyond our church walls and into the community.

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