2021

Dear Friends,

Baking bread is an ancient monastic tradition, and for more than 100 years the monks of Saint Joseph Abbey have baked their own bread. Adhering to the call of the gospel to serve the poor, the monks began baking and donating “Abbey Bread” to homeless shelters and community organizations on the Northshore and in the Greater New Orleans area thirty years ago. From the humble beginnings in a dairy barn converted to a bakery, Abbey Bread has remarkably been part of 30 million meals.

The Abbey Bread Program donates hundreds of loaves of bread every week to organizations that feed the most vulnerable among us. Various food banks, homeless shelters, nursing homes, and community outreach programs rely on our bread donations.

This free gift allows non-profits to use their "bread money" for other critically needed goods and services. Since 1990, the Abbey Bread Program (formerly known as Pennies for Bread and the Abbey) has collectively saved over $5 million for the organizations with whom we have partnered. With the support of many dedicated people, Abbey Bread has had a direct impact within our local community. Celebrate 30 years with us!

The distribution of the bread is nondenominational. A dedicated group of monks and volunteers donate their time and labor to do their part to bring food and comfort to those in our area who need it most.

As you can imagine, the need is more significant than ever with the impact of the COVID-19 virus.

The Abbey Bread program depends entirely on corporate sponsors and individual donations. All contributions received are used to cover the cost of baking ingredients and supplies, utility expenses of running the bakery, and ongoing maintenance. Any monies that exceed our expenditures for the year will be used to defray the costs of other Abbey expenses, such as providing health care for the elderly and infirmed in our monastic community.

Please consider donating to the Abbey Bread program. We are called to remain focused on those whom we serve, our closest neighbors who are the most vulnerable. 

Sincerely in Christ,

Abbot Justin Brown, O.S.B.