The smell of coffee hits at 6:30 a.m., kettles are already warm, and plates for the shelters go out before the doors open—that’s how a community feeds itself every single day. We sit with Catholic Charities of Acadiana to pull back the curtain on St. Joseph Diner, the shelters next door, and the volunteers who keep the line moving with a smile and a name. From the first cup poured to the last tray stacked, the goal stays simple and bold: serve people with dignity and make sure no neighbor goes hungry or unseen.
We walk through FoodNet’s donor-funded food bank and the “Grab One Extra” campaign that turns grocery runs into steady supply. Local partners step up—restaurants, bakeries, and grocers—stretching every dollar with weekly donations and at-cost staples. Then we pivot to the Stella Maris hygiene center, born from a bar of soap by a spigot, now offering showers, laundry, and clean clothes. The conversation deepens around caseworkers who build housing plans, coach budgets, and stick around long after move-in, because mental health and addiction require long, patient care. Prevention matters: keep people housed, keep lights on, and keep families steady.
When storms hit or floods creep in, the disaster response team and Rebuilding Together Acadiana shift into gear, mucking homes, installing ADA ramps, and multiplying impact with skilled volunteers. We also share how social enterprise powers the mission—Crossroads gift shop sends 100% of profits back into programs—and preview the Mercy Market: a dignified, neighborhood-style store with expanded cooler and freezer space to increase choice and reduce waste. Through it all, one theme repeats: mercy scales because people do. Join a breakfast shift, tour the campus, pack a seven-day bag, swing a hammer, or shop where your dollars go twice as far.
If this story moved you, help us keep it going—subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a quick review. Ready to volunteer or donate? Visit CatholicCharitiesAcadiana.org and take the first step today.
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