Most of you have already noticed the beginnings of construction to the left of the Church. This new building will be home to our Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry and Social Services ministries, thereby allowing them to expand signature programs/services and reach more people than ever before! Together, these two areas account for the bulk of our “onsite” community service: The Social Services office handles 23 client requests per day for rental/utility assistance, minor medical needs, and help with emergency situations such as homelessness and domestic violence situations. It also oversees the running of our 5-bedroom shelter, Rapid Rehousing and Emergency Housing projects, and runs two annual programs: The Back to School Event, which provided school supplies and a new pair of shoes to a record-breaking 207 children this fiscal year, and Toys for Tots, which also set a new high by providing holiday gifts for 363 children between the ages of newborn to twelve.
The Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry which serves an average of 883 unique individuals a hot, nutritious meal and stocks empty cupboards in the homes of 267 others each week. So much more than just a cooking/distribution area, the Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry is also tasked with the daily logistics of picking up donated food from across the area at preset intervals, preparing menus, rotating stock in multiple refrigerators/freezers/storerooms so that everything is kept at peak freshness for both the Kitchen and Pantry and making sure that each client gets the correct amount of take-home food plus a delicious meal; before everyone stops, cleans up, and gets ready to do it all again the next day.
The need for all of the above services has grown exponentially over the years as news of St. Theresa’s dedication and caring for the community has spread. If you should have any questions, or would like to make a donation to the new construction, please call Henry Esparza at (352) 245-2458 or via email at operations@mystcc.org.
Together we’re making GREAT things happen!!
