St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church

Our Story
In 1981 it was realized that people are hungry and in need at all times of the year, not just during the holidays. St. Rose parish in Wilmington, Illinois began a food pantry and named it Kuzma Care Cottage. What started in the music room of a small school by Sister Ann Ellen Quirk, B.V.M., has since moved into a house converted solely to distribute food. Our operation expanded even more when we added a two-story garage-type building for storage of food and supplies. We operate each day for the benefit of all the people and with the support of all the churches and civic organizations in our area.
We seek to nurture those who must live outside the mainstream society because of their lowered economic status. We wish to give voice to their needs and continue to provide bodily necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. At the same time, try to help them find a way to improve their social economic conditions.
We have all the social problems here that are prevalent in big cities. Violence such as child abuse, sexual abuse, drug abuse, are all abounding in our area. Family crises are always present. There are so many single parent and grandparent-led families, all needing special care.