BENEFICIARIES
"For I was hungry, and you fed me, I was thirsty, and you gave a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home."
-Matthew 25:35-45
In Los Angeles, those who are down on their luck, homeless or in need of services to make their lives better, are welcome with open arms at the St. Francis Center on Hope Street. Just absorb their logo “serving hope.” Their doors opened in 1972 and they have since provided relief and support to homeless and extremely low-income individuals and families in Los Angeles. Much more than a soup kitchen or a food pantry, they offer a unique range of services. They welcome all with joy, dignity and compassion and do so in a very limited space.
Their sister location is in Long Beach. It was closed for a period of time. Their hope is to reopen soon and become a beacon of hope to families and those on the margins of society providing food, clothing, and emergency assistance to college age students.
Administered by Catholic Charities, the food bank serves the people of Ventura and Santa Barbara. With the rampant Covid virus, it is amazing that our food banks and centers that serve the homeless and marginalized, continued to have open doors and volunteers to serve those in need, without skipping a beat. One third of the proceeds from the 2022 awards event will help those to the north find words of compassion from caring volunteers, meals to fill their bodies with much-needed nutrients and a smile to give them hope.
Like both St. Francis Centers, the Santa Barbara Food Pantry serves the marginalized – homeless and those living on the edge of poverty with food and services through the Catholic Charities mission in Santa Barbara. They also provide meals and basic needs for our brothers and sisters in need.
Forty years ago, Paul Mousel founded St. Francis Center Long Beach. Paul led a simple life of service: feeding the hungry, housing the homeless and clothing the tattered. After his death, the St. Francis Center building fell into disrepair. And so, the poor could no longer knock on those doors to satisfy their hunger and need for help. But it is now time for new followers of Paul to resurrect his spirit and St. Francis Center.
Since 1972, St. Francis Center has provided relief and support to homeless and extremely low-income individuals and families in Los Angeles. Much more than a soup kitchen or a good pantry, they offer a unique range of services to sustain and empower those in need and engaging volunteer opportunities in Los Angeles. They welcome all with joy, dignity and compassion, dedicating themselves every day to “SERVING HOPE” in our community.
PAST BENEFICIARIES
20202019201820172016201520142013201220112009-2010Blessed Sacrament School, Hollywood 2008San Miguel School, South Los Angeles 2007San Antonio de Padua, Boyle Heights 2006Sagrado Corazon y Santa Maria de Guadalupe, Cudahy 2005Guardian Angel Catholic Church, Pacoima 2004Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Oxnard 2003St. Patrick's Parish, Los Angeles 2002St. Aloysius School, Los Angeles San Miguel School, South Los Angeles 2001St. Odilia School, Los Angeles 2000St. Mary Church, Los Angeles Guardian Angel Catholic Church, Pacoima Mary Immaculate Church, Pacoima Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Santa Barbara Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, Compton Presentation of Mary Church, Los Angeles |
1999Our Lady of Sorrows, Santa Barbara 1998Cristo Rey, Los Angeles Holy Innocents, Long Beach Immaculate Conception, New Cuyama Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Oxnard Our Lady of Victory, Compton Saint Teresa of Avila, Los Angeles San Miguel School, South Los Angeles Santa Isabel, Los Angeles Santa Teresita, Los Angeles 1997St. Malachy, Los Angeles Holy Cross, Los Angeles Nativity / St. Columbkille, Los Angeles Third Millennium Program 1996Marian Homes Inner-City Parish / School Programs Family Psychological Services Scholarships for Parish Leaders 1995Detention Ministry Inner-City Schools: Conaty / Loretto H.S. 1994Cardinal Mahony Earthquake Relief Fund 1993Cardinal Manning House of Prayer for Priests Hope in Youth Program (anti-gang) 1992Adopt-a-Family (homeless) O.A.S.I.S. (elderly) Serra Ancillary Care (AIDS) 1991Retirement Fund for Religious Soledad Enrichment Action 1990D.A.R.E. (drug program) Family Shelters for Homeless Good Shepherd Center for Homeless St. Vincent de Paul Men's Center |
