Catholic Charities Expands Programs in Chambers County

WINNIE, Texas — Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas is expanding its reach to serve rural communities and strengthen disaster response efforts in the region. This major initiative includes the transformation of the former St. Vincent de Paul Center in Winnie into a new hub for charitable activities, featuring a thrift shop, food pantry, and disaster aid storage facility.

Bishop David Toups, who blessed the grounds during a special ceremony, captured the spirit of the project, describing the effort as becoming “God’s co-workers.” He emphasized that when communities come together to uplift one another, they embody the true spirit of service and faith.

From St. Vincent de Paul to Catholic Charities: A New Beginning

For years, St. Vincent de Paul served the Winnie community through a thrift store, food pantry, and vital assistance programs like counseling and utility support. Now, Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas has taken over the facility, purchasing the property in July 2024 to expand their services beyond Jefferson County into Chambers County and other rural areas.

The food pantry has been renamed “Market to Hope” to align with Catholic Charities’ Beaumont pantry. Gerard Parigi, who successfully led the Beaumont pantry, will oversee operations in Winnie, aiming to provide the same level of support, including extended hours and diverse services.

Introducing the Thrift Barn: A Sustainable Source of Support

One of the most exciting developments is the creation of the Thrift Barn, Catholic Charities’ first-ever thrift shop. This 4,800-square-foot building will not only serve the community but also act as a critical revenue stream to fund programs such as:

• Mental health counseling
• Elijah’s Place (grief support for children ages 5–18)
• Immigration legal services
• Housing assistance and counseling
• Market to Hope food pantries
• The Hospitality Center in Port Arthur

Carol Fernandez, President/CEO of Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, expressed her excitement, noting that the thrift shop has been a long-held dream:

“We’ve been saying that we have to find ways to diversify our revenue. This is a sustainable revenue source that can go back into Catholic Charities and help support all of our programs.”

While the existing thrift shop structure, built in the 1950s, had outlived its usefulness, a generous donation from an anonymous Catholic family funded the new construction. This family has also supported other projects, including the rebuild of the Hospitality Center in Port Arthur and the establishment of Beaumont’s Market to Hope in 2021.

Strengthening Disaster Response with a New Aid Hub

Alongside the expansion of community services, Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas has received a $100,000 grant from Catholic Charities USA to establish a disaster aid storage facility on the same property.

This facility is part of a “Hub and Spokes” disaster response model, designed to improve aid distribution along the Gulf Coast:

• San Antonio serves as the central hub.
• Aid materials are distributed from San Antonio to three key spokes: Corpus Christi, Houston, and Southeast Texas.
• Each spoke, including the Winnie location, will store disaster relief materials for quick deployment during natural disasters.

The timing of this grant perfectly aligned with the acquisition of the St. Vincent de Paul facility, providing ample space for both community services and disaster response operations.

Volunteers Needed to Support Growing Services

With the expansion of services, Catholic Charities is seeking volunteers to help extend pantry hours and support operations at the new Thrift Barn.

Current Market to Hope hours:

• Tuesday–Thursday: 10 AM – 4 PM
• Plans to expand hours, including evening availability, to better serve the community

“We need volunteers to help support those hours. And we need to get the word out so people know we’re here,” said Fernandez.

Gerard Parigi hopes to replicate the success of Beaumont’s Market to Hope, which operates six days a week with extended hours, offering a model for how Winnie’s pantry could grow.

Looking Ahead: A Grand Opening This Summer

The expansion project represents more than just new buildings—it symbolizes Catholic Charities’ commitment to serving those in need, especially in underserved rural communities.

Bishop Toups reflected on the mission, stating:

“The work we begin today should make us thankful. It’s a reflection of our faith in action, helping our neighbors in meaningful ways.”

Fernandez concluded the event with a hopeful message:

“I can’t wait to see you all again at the grand opening this summer.”

SOURCE

FAQ