In 2013, the Care Mission in LaFayette made a big difference in locals’ lives.
“The Care Mission assisted 6,879 households with food and/or clothing,” said Director Kendra Phillips. “That is 19,587 individuals. We distributed approximately 340 tons of food, which this provided about 291,975 meals. The percentage of children or seniors or disabled that we service is 76 percent.”
To help meet the need in 2014, the nonprofit is seeking donations of certain items like soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
“We need winter clothing items donated,” added Phillips. “We have a lot of food donations but we always need canned meats like Beanie-Weenies, Spam, tuna and chicken. With donated funds we can purchase things at food banks for 19 cents per pound. We can stretch the money pretty far.”
The Care Mission is reopening from its annual two-week holiday break Jan. 2.
“The hours are long [prior to the holidays, workers worked from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.], but it’s worth it,” Phillips said.
The thrift store is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The food pantry is open from noon to 4 p.m. the same days. The thrift store funds the food pantry and pays for utilities and overall operational expenses. This is augmented by individual monetary donations and community efforts.
“The need continues to increase,” said Phillips, adding that the mission serves about 600 families on a monthly basis. “We are getting a lot of new clients that can’t make it. People are losing their jobs. The more the need grows, the more God provides.”
To learn more, find “The Care Mission” on Facebook or call 706-638-3664.