One of the members of the Panthers Football team, Matthew Catalano ‘22, recently put the dedication he has learned on the field to use helping to provide food to those in need. Matthew spent his day off on Monday, October 4 putting together 70 meals with the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities (PCRC). This organization focuses on providing support to individuals across the Montgomery County area. They provide services such as pre-made meals, housing, and supportive educational services to those in need. 

For Matthew, the connection is family. His grandmother is the president of the PCRC Board and has involved her family in the mission to help those in need. She has directed her passion towards the fight against food insecurity and Matthew has joined in on the mission to help others. 

“I am so fortunate for the privileges and opportunities in my life,” Matthew says. “I have never had to go to bed hungry or worry about shelter over my head. The individuals whom we served have fallen upon hard times, and I was glad to help them.  It was a privilege to give back to my community even in this small way.” 

Matthew is a valued member of the Perkiomen School community with deep family ties to the school. He is a legacy student, as his grandfather, Howard Body ’54, also attended Perkiomen. Howard returned to campus during Fall Family Weekend with his wife, Roberta, whom he met while he was a student at Perkiomen. The family cheered on Matthew and the football team from the sidelines.  

Learning and growing from the experience are things Matthew valued most from the opportunity. “I observed how joyful and welcoming my fellow volunteers were as we prepared and gathered food,” says Matthew. “I was by far the youngest volunteer there, and they took great care in making sure I felt welcomed and included in the process.  We felt pride in working together to create a nutritious meal and share it with the community.”

Matthew embodies what it means to serve the community as well bettering himself and those around him. “It felt amazing when we rolled the cart of 70 lunches out in front of the church on High Street,” he says. “I cannot wait to do it again.”

He also wants to invite fellow students and members of the Perkiomen School community to help continue the great work of PCRC. “If any Perkiomen community members want to volunteer at the cluster with me, it would be great to go with a group of students,” says Matthew. 

To learn more about the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities and the work that they do, visit their website and check out their video. 

 

 

 

 

The individuals whom we served have fallen upon hard times, and I was glad to help them.  It was a privilege to give back to my community even in this small way.  - Matthew Catalano '22

 

Perkiomen School Athletics

   

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By Erin McGuire, Communications & Sports Information Assistant

Erin McGuire earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Jacksonville University and both an MBA and master's in marketing from Lindenwood University.  As an elite student-athlete, Ms. McGuire was a member of the 2021 Lindenwood University Women's Lacrosse National Championship team.  She brings that athletic experience to Perkiomen School as the Assistant Coach for Girls' Lacrosse.