Sister organizations continue annual tradition of spreading mercy in Cedar Rapids community

Sister organizations Mount Mercy University, the Catherine McAuley Center and Mercy Medical Center are continuing the tradition of spreading mercy in our community. Circle the City with Mercy is a one-day community service project with volunteers from each organization working toward a common cause.

Now in its fifth year, partners of Circle the City with Mercy look for a unique community service project each year to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to the community. The project marks the anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in Cedar Rapids in July 1875.

This year, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, July 22, team members from each of the three organizations will meet at Mercy’s Hallagan Education Center for a short program. The group will then receive assembly instructions for packaging 16,000 meals for the Take Away Hunger organization. The meals will be distributed locally to help individuals in crisis.

“We are so grateful to have the opportunity to partner with these great organizations in the battle against hunger,” said Joe O’Leary, director of Take Away Hunger Cedar Rapids. “Most people don’t realize the level of food insecurity we experience in our community, state and country. While many consider this to be the breadbasket of the world, sadly, some children still go to bed hungry. Local projects like Circle the City make a difference.”

Questions about Circle the City with Mercy may be directed to Chad Cooper with Mount Mercy University at (319) 363-1323, ext.1205; Karen Vander Sanden with Mercy Cedar Rapids at (319) 558-8424; or Kelsey Steines with the Catherine McAuley Center at (319) 731-0448. Inquiries about Take Away Hunger Cedar Rapids may be directed to Joe O’Leary at (319) 491-6660 or joeoleary@takeawayhungercr.com.