Conceived by Blessed Father Eustace in the early 1940s in Belo Horizonte, the work of helping the poor has always been a great concern of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts and the entire parish community. Father Eustace always helped those most in need with food, work, paying overdue bills, or with his prayers and spiritual guidance.

Mrs. Izabel Leite (second from left to right), a great motivator of the "Ladies of Charity"“

After his death in 1942, the work continued with community volunteers, who would later become the "Ladies of Charity." For over 60 years, Dona Isabel Leite, who knew Father Eustáquio as a child, led the service voluntarily. Today, she continues to help with the work with commitment and dedication.

To register families, the Ladies visit people to find out if they really need assistance and "what" they need. Currently, there are 112 registered families who receive food, medicine, clothing, or other basic necessities monthly.

With the pandemic, other families in need emerged, and thanks to God and the generosity of people, food donations were made in large quantities. But, before all this, the Ladies didn't receive enough food to distribute to all the registered families. Therefore, with each basic food basket that arrived, or each package of rice, sugar, oil, or any other food, the volunteers had to open and divide it into smaller baskets. In other words, with each basket that arrived, they had to make two or even three baskets to be able to help everyone in need, even if with just a little food.

More than 100 basic food baskets are delivered every month.

But now is the time to give thanks… to the parish community that has contributed so much, to the brothers of the Congregation who have been committed to delivering the baskets with all the necessary care.

As soon as this period of social isolation due to the Coronavirus is over, schedule a visit to the headquarters of the Ladies of Charity, with entrance on Castigliano Street. You will be very welcome and will see this work firsthand, not only with food, but also with clothing and medicine.

Anyone who wants to and is able to donate, food can be delivered to the Secretariat of the Health and Peace Sanctuary.

Food donations are collected from the community, and many people bring donations during celebrations or leave them at the parish office of the Sanctuary. With faith, transparency, and great care for the poorest, we want to help the community more and more, so that we may intensely live the ideal of Father Eustáquio, which is God's purpose for our lives.

Health and Peace!