Catholic Charities celebrates 35 Years in Effingham
Posted on July 20, 2016
July marks the 35th anniversary of Catholic Charities ministry in Effingham area. On July 1, 1981 Catholic Charities was begun in Effingham located in a small house next to St. Anthony High School offering services to the community including counseling, adoption, infant foster care and emergency assistance. During its first year, the agency served 125 clients, and had 13 members on its board.
In 1982 Second Hand Rose Resale Shoppe, a clothing store opened for the dual purpose of serving impoverished people and of increasing revenue for the emergency assistance program.
Between the years from 1982 through 1993, as the needs of the community increased, the agency moved twice to a larger facility and increased staff.
Catholic Charities Advisory Board had the idea to convert a school bus to transport school supplies and clothing to children in rural communities. The Ramblin’ Rose program was begun.
In 2003 a capital campaign, The Jabez Project, was launched to purchase and renovate the former Keller Furniture/Appliance building to consolidate all Catholic Charities services to one location. Catholic Charities moved into the renovated location in January of 2005.
Catholic Charities’ services have increased over the last 35 year and now include Counseling, Emergency Assistance, Food Pantry, Legal Services, MedAssist, Mobile Food Pantry, and Second Hand Rose Resale Shoppe. A MedAssist Outreach Office is located in Marshall to serve the MedAssist clients in that area.
Catholic Charities collaborates with many local agencies in various capacities to provide expanded services. FISH and Catholic Charities became co-sponsors of the Christmas for Kids program. CEFS and Catholic Charities have worked together on helping with emergency needs of people as well as with the needs of the Head Start program. Catholic Charities and Unit 40 Effingham School District co-sponsor the Summer Food Lunch Program held each summer. St. Anthony Memorial Hospital resources to purchase foods for Healthy Heart bags and a gallon of milk to Food Pantry Clients, to offer Diabetic Education/Dietary Planning/Diabetic Medicines and to fund the Dental Voucher Program, all available through Catholic Charities.
Over the past 35 years Catholic Charities has expanded services into a total of seven counties: Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, and Shelby Counties.
With the help of the many people who have served Catholic Charities on the Advisory Board, the many staff members and volunteers, the many business and individuals who have supported Catholic Charities in a variety of ways, and the tremendous support of the community at large, Catholic Charities continues to add needed services and has grown from serving 125 people in 1981 to over 75,000 people.
Pictured in Photo from Left to Right are Catholic Charities Staff Members: Vickie Rieman-Bond, Michelle Lueken, Carrie Crippen, Theresa Loy, Jean Fruchtl, Sr. Carol Beckermann, Barb Thoele, John Arthur, Gina Hanratty, Sr. Sandra Sudkamp, and Carolyn Baldwin. Staff unavailable for photo: Sr. Kathleen Bushur, Kendra Franklin, Connie Holkenbrink, Barb Igleheart, Carol Klelpzig, Jane Kortte, Gerald Thoele and Robert West.
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2020
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September
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July
- Springfield Area Performing Arts Organizations keep Springfield Catholic Charities Holy Family Food Pantry shelves full
- Madison County Catholic Charities 2020 fundraiser canceled; $10,000 raffle will still be held
- The Good Samaritan Asks for Help
- Springfield Area Performing Arts Organizations Plan Food Drive for Holy Family Food Pantry
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April
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January
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2019
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2018
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October
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August
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July
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June
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May
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April
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January
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2017
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August
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June
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May
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April
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February
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January
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2016
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December
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November
- Bishop Paprocki Completes 22nd Marathon in Philadephia
- Parishes of St. Anthony, Sacred Heart & St. Mary’s - Shumway Thanksgiving Food Drive
- Anger Management Classes begin Dec. 2nd in Effingham
- Effingham County Christmas Store opens Dec. 11th-13th
- E-Recycling Drive to be held at Alton Catholic Charities
- Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry Visits Farina
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October
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September
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August
- Pack the Pantry Tea Party
- “School Bus Battle” helps Ramblin’ Rose
- Premier Broadcasting – WXEF and KJ Country “Pack the Bus”
- Effingham Catholic Staff Member recognized for Years of Service
- Effingham CC offers discounted DUI Evaluations during September
- Catholic Charities Recipient of C.E.F.S. Community Service Excellence Award
- Effingham Catholic Charities Fall Fun Run Registration Form
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July
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June
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May
- Effingham Noon Rotary donates to Catholic Charities Food Pantry
- Catholic Charities honors Food Pantry Volunteer
- 17th Annual Austin Luckett Memorial Golf Tournament held for Catholic Charities
- Pinnacle Foods Employees team up with Catholic Charities
- Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry Visits Robinson
- Carlinville 5k Fun Run/Walk results
- Quarter Auction held for Catholic Charities
- Madison County MFP provides for 26 families
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April
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March
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February
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January
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2015
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December
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October
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September
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August
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July
- Ramblin' Rose makes first two stops
- Catholic Charities Fall Fun Run registration form
- Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry Visits Wheeler
- Effingham Catholic Charities Food Pantry provides milk to clients
- HMAC donates to Catholic Charities Food Pantry
- Effingham Catholic Charities offers Healthy Choice food bags
- Ramblin’ Rose Bus Schedule Set
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June
- School supply distribution begins July 21st
- Back to School program registration begins July 21st
- Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry visits West Union
- Effingham CC holds 16th annual Austin Luckett Golf Tournament
- Catholic Charities celebrates 90th anniversary
- Immigration Council takes action to Welcome the Stranger
- WSOY Community Food Drive Benefits Decatur Catholic Charities
- Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry expands to Springfield Area
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