Summit — Through the years, it has become a familiar sight in the Oratory Prep cafeteria: boys making sandwiches after school for homeless and at-risk people that are served by the philanthropic group Bridges.

In fact, the Catholic school’s cafeteria is flooded bi-monthly with hamburger buns, cheese, ham and other items to package 300 brown bag lunches. Potato chips, fruit cups, and cookies accompany the sandwiches that complete the lunches.

            Under the direction of Campus Ministry Coordinator and religion teacher Cathy Marshall, the boys not only assemble the food, but package toiletries donated by Oratory family members. Then a dozen upper school teens and two chaperones from the school for boys in grades 7 -12 join the Bridges staff members to distribute the largesse to people in Newark and New York City.

            Additionally, every December, the school runs a new clothing drive for the at-risk population for the Summit-based charity. “Bridges is one of our favorite ministries,” said Mrs. Marshall. “The boys help raise the money for the items that pack our lunches and we all feel a special tenderness for these people who are so desperately in need.”