The Outreach Center is not a federally funded program. We rely on the Catholic Community Services, charitable business contributions, grants, foundations, and any other resource we can summons. There is an on-site Assistant Director to the center along with six other part-time persons to ensure operations run smoothly.
Food Distribution
Each Monday food is picked up from three local Dierberg’s grocery stores as part of their involvement with Operation Food Search.
Food re-distribution is done each Tuesday morning from 9am to 11:30am. Some residents are able to come and pick up food packages at the Center while volunteers deliver packages to approximately 22 homebound elderly residents.
In addition, a monthly distribution of USDA food is distributed through the St. Joseph Center for zip codes 63111 and 63116. The government indicates how much of what types of foods can be given out according to the size of the family. The Center picks this food up from the St. Louis Area Food Bank and brings it to the Center for distribution.
Utility Assistance
When funding is available, CCBF assists in making payments on utility bills especially to prevent the shut-off of service. We do ask that the homeowner/tenant pay something toward the bill as well and we encourage them to budget some type of monthly payment toward that bill.
Clothing
The Clothing Room is open every Tuesday from 9am – 11:30am for those in need to come to receive free clothing. Very fine clothing contributions are brought to us from several parishes.
Homebound Services
Two Sisters of St. Joseph and one volunteer visit about 25 homebound elderly to check in on them, assess their needs and provide some social time and companionship.
Other Services
Weatherization materials are available for FREE from St. Joseph’s. This includes window covering kits, doorstops, caulking etc. These materials are made possible by an annual funding from AmerenUE. ($2,000).
Volunteer-run Flea Markets are held 2-3 times annually. Items sold are great and are donated from families who are closing houses. The last flea market generated $1,100.
Each year, beginning in January we accept “Circuit Breaker” applications. This is a tax rebate program. Persons who meet the income guideline may apply for a rebate on their income taxes, persons who rent may apply for a rebate on rent. This program is also available to those persons residing in nursing homes. We grant approximately 55-60 of the “Circuit Breaker” rebates annually.
Walk-In Inquiries
Each day that the St. Joseph’s Center is open, approximately 20 people walk in asking for some type of assistance. Persons who are serviced by the center on a regular basis must be certified at the Center and are annually required to bring in proof of residence, proof of income for the total household and proof of the number living in the home and ages.
Holiday Assistance
At Christmas the Center is able to assist about 300 families. Immaculate Heart of Mary adopted 100 families. Southern Commercial Bank, ICL Performance Products and other local businesses adopt several families for the holiday. Lion’s Club, Kiwanis Club, the police department, schools and other agencies offer their help.
Families in need are profiled and sent in for the “100 Neediest Cases” sponsored by the St. Louis Post Dispatch and the United Way. Over $13,000 is received at Christmas time.
