For the past 20 years following the 5 p.m. Sunday mass at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Fuquay-Varina, a feast has been laid out buffet-style for migrant workers.

Eleven area churches and groups, among them Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in Fuquay, Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Cary and St. Andrews the Apostle in Apex, participate in this community outreach program. Swift Creek Baptist Church in Holly Springs contributes gently used clothing.

Representing the newest volunteer group, Unity Church of the Triangle in Raleigh, are Ginny and Lou DeCellis, a Cary husband and wife team. Ginny and Lou have been volunteering their time ever since they heard about the migrant workers’ dinner in 2000. They became involved because they felt it was not only a nice thing to do, but that it was their time to give back to the community.

Lou explained, “Over the years the number of migrant workers has dwindled from approximately 400, mostly men, to about 150, ranging in age from 18 to their 40s. The reason has to do with development. Since Wake and a number of other counties have welcomed thousands of transplanted residents, the farms have slowly been replaced by subdivisions, reducing the amount of Mexican migrant workers to farm the land.” “Another reason is the recent tobacco buyout by the federal government and changing international markets for tobacco prices,” said Nancy Hagan, director of social outreach at St. Bernadette.

Hagan added that all of the farm workers have a visa status called H2A.

They are under contract with a specific grower through the tobacco harvest. Some farm workers then stay on to harvest sweet potatoes and many, at the end of the sweet potato harvest, will travel to the western part of the state to cut and ship Christmas trees. They then return home to Mexico for the winter and repeat the cycle the following year.

In 2009, the DeCellises joined Unity Church of the Triangle and brought with them their experience in organizing the dinners. Jennifer Holder, associate minister, embraced the program. The parishioners, guided by the DeCellises, are hosting their first dinner on Sunday, July 19.

Volunteers from St. Bernadette transport the farm workers from Willow Spring, Fuquay and Angier to the church in time to celebrate mass. “All the food is donated by the congregants of the host church,” said Ginny. “A typical hot meal includes main course, side dishes and dessert.

Especially appreciated are foods familiar to the laborers and those that have a Spanish flavor, such as rice and beans, chicken and fruit. Lou oversees the menu.”

The host church prepares all the food in advance. Local supermarkets donate day-old bread and pastries. About 20 men and women work the tables and clean up after the meal.

St. Bernadette supplies all the paper goods and the gloves worn by the servers.

“I always felt that we are here to care for each other, and the concept of family can extend beyond DNA. Spiritually, we are all one family,” said Ginny.

“My vocation as a nurse has always led me to help reduce suffering in any shape or form,” added Lou. “This outreach program serves the poorest of the poor and has fulfilled me and given me more than I give to them.”

Other benefits of the program include doggie bags, music at the meal and health screenings. There is a weekly health screening clinic following the dinner. The ministry is always in need of volunteer health care professionals.

“We middle class people often talk about the poor as if they were faithless. This outreach offers volunteers the opportunity to engage with the poor and marginalized as equals — brothers and sisters,” said Hagan.

Hagan can be contacted at farmworkerministy@gmail.com.

For information and volunteer opportunities, contact Lou or Ginny DeCellis at 465-1409 or e-mail dad1939@nc.rr.com.