11-year-old leads annual food drive, delivers 200+ bags to Mercy House
In the spirit of the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, which calls for acts of mercy and solidarity, 11-year-old Dante Olshefski has taken that mission to heart in remarkable fashion. For the fifth consecutive year, the sixth-grader from Valleyview Middle School in Denville, NJ, organized a neighborhood food drive that rallied families, friends, and community members to help those in need.
What began as a small initiative has grown into a significant annual effort, with Dante collecting 3,500 pounds of food and filling 225 bags, a record-breaking achievement for him. The donations were distributed at The Mercy House locations in Elizabeth and Jersey City during their holiday toy drives.
“This year felt more important than ever,” said Dante. “I know things cost more now, and people need extra help. I just wanted to make sure we could help more families than before.”
Dante’s grandfather, Joseph Verzi, a construction planning & development advisor at Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark, played a key role in supporting his grandson’s initiative.
“Dante’s drive to help others is inspiring,” Verzi shared. “When he told me he wanted to surpass 200 bags this year, I knew we had to rally more support. It’s amazing how one child can light a fire in the community.”
One major turning point this year came during a Christmas lunch at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington. As Verzi showed Dante’s progress to Philippe Carrier of CMC Mausoleum, Carrier immediately offered a $1,000 donation to help fill more bags.
“Philippe didn’t hesitate. He saw the joy in Dante’s efforts and wanted to be part of it,” said Verzi. “It’s proof that generosity spreads when people see the good happening around them.”
The Mercy House, which started with a single location in Newark, now operates at three locations across the Archdiocese of Newark. Its mission to serve the poor and vulnerable aligns closely with the theme of the Jubilee Year – “Pilgrims of Hope.”
“Mercy House is a beacon of hope for so many,” Verzi noted. “They remind us that while we might not solve every problem, small acts of kindness can change lives. As we enter the Jubilee Year, these efforts feel even more meaningful.”
With the initial batch of 150 bags delivered to The Mercy House in Elizabeth, Cheryl Riley, the director of The Mercy House, expressed gratitude for the surplus. When Dante told her he still had 75 bags in his garage, Riley eagerly directed them to the Jersey City location.
“That made me feel great,” Dante recalled with a smile. “I love knowing that more people are going to have food when they need it.”
Dante’s drive has become a cherished family tradition, coinciding with their Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations.
“We always pray together and give thanks for what we have,” Verzi explained. “Dante’s food drive has become part of that tradition, reminding us to care for others in tangible ways.”
When asked why he keeps going year after year, Dante’s response was simple.
“I hope if people see a kid doing this, they’ll try something too – maybe a coat or toy drive. Anyone can help. And it feels really good.”
As the Archdiocese of Newark embarks on the 2025 Jubilee Year, the Olshefski family’s dedication to serving the less fortunate stands as a testament to the enduring values of compassion, hope, and community.
“The Jubilee reminds us to open our hearts and homes to others,” Verzi concluded. “Dante’s food drive is one small way we’re living that message.”
To learn more about The Mercy House, visit www.rcan.org/mercy-house.
To learn more about Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark, go to www.rcancem.org.
Featured image: Dante Olshefski and his father, Chris Olshefski, distribute food at The Mercy House. (Photo courtesy of the Olshefski Family)
