Social Concerns, which is a service of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, provides a combination of one-time financial aid and referrals. The charity and its staff will also help and support those who are poor and facing poverty. The resources available are limited, but the staff try their best to help those who are struggling financially.
Some of the assistance the church offers is only available at certain times of the year, like the Christmas Caring program or school supplies. Since there is a limited amount of aid available, it is given out on a first come, first served basis to those who qualify. Unfortunately, this means that many families in Waseca County will not receive any aid. If someone is having a difficult time, they may give them suggestions for people who could help them.
Direct service means that the non-profit can provide financial assistance to low-income families who qualify. This means that Social Concerns will help connect people who need help with local organizations that can provide it. That will be done when someone is not eligible for any other form of financial support.
This website provides information on different shelters, emergency aid, and other options that are available. There are local places that can help if you need food or other resources. Try food pantries, churches, or charities. This means that people who live in an area have options for getting assistance with things like food and shelter.
The Emergency Basic Needs program is another resource that can be used in case of an emergency. This program provides basic necessities like food and clothing to people in need. This is when the Social Concerns Committee passes out vouchers to families and people in need of financial assistance. As part of this application process, you will need to interview with and be intake by volunteers of the church.
There is a lot of different types of assistance that you can get. If you have an emergency need for food or clothing, you may be able to get it for free from a community organization. For people seeking help in getting to work, there may be subsidies for gasoline or bus tokens. There may be a small amount of money available in an emergency to help pay rent or a portion of a utility bill. Other types of financial aid from the Emergency Basic Needs program can include help with paying water bills, holiday help, and discounted prescriptions.
The Social Concerns Committee will help people in need by advocating for them and connecting them to resources like food stamps or low income housing. The goal is to provide temporary assistance while also addressing the long-term needs of the Waseca County family.
A soup kitchen is a place where people can go to get a free meal. This is usually for people who are low income or homeless. Volunteers help by cooking and serving food from the local Soup Kitchen, which is often located at churches in the area, including Sacred Heart Catholic. -There are free baked goods in addition to the meal. Coffee and breads can be found. If someone is not able to leave their home, they can still have a meal delivered to them.
The Social Concerns Committee helps administer the Adopt a family for Christmas program and more during the holidays. There may also be free Thanksgiving meals served, which may include a turkey. The non-profit will give out food vouchers to families in need during Christmas, and, depending on donations from people in Waseca County, there might also be free gifts and toys available.
The Christmas Caring program from Sacred Heart Catholic Church is the main holiday resource, and it provides holiday food assistance to people facing poverty as well as other low-income families served throughout the agency service territory. Some other winter clothing items include coats, boots, hats, and other related items. If you are a part of a parish or school in a certain area, you can get help from the diocese.
Other support and advice is offered as well from the non-profit, with the goal of being able to support oneself and have a stable life. Case managers work to connect people with the resources they need to improve their lives. This may includes providing information about social justice issues, referring people to job training centers, or addressing other social issues.
The location of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church is sacred. If you’re in the area, feel free to drop by our store at 111 4th St. NW in Waseca, Minnesota. You can also give us a call at 507.835.1222 if you have any questions.