Due to COVID-19, St. Anne's International Food festival has not happened for two years. Normally the parish would benefit from this annual fundraiser. Pastor Father Alejandro Puello prayed about it and wanted the 2022 fundraiser proceeds to go to where it was needed now, not to be deposited at a bank. He explained to his parish, St. Anne, that charity is a hallmark of true love. To serve the poor, cloth the naked is one of the ways we practice charity. As a parish, it is important to model charity, so individuals can behave in a way to invest in the needs of someone else over their own needs.
It was decided that the proceeds would be split, half would go to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which works in the community. The other half would go to tuition assistance for Catholic schools that parish children attend. In November checks will be presented to Immaculate Heart of Mary School and North Little Rock Catholic Academy, both in North Little Rock.