A survey of clients in the last six months showed that 48% had come to the agency for food. Another 34% had come for help with utilities, another 8% for help with medical expenses. But desire for help also ranged from requests for help with rent, gasoline, jobs, clothes, insurance, social security, eye glasses, transportation, immigration, water bills--you get the idea. Of 108 households in the survey, 81% were female, 81% were married, and about 50% were disabled. Add diversity to that combination. "In the first three months of 2009 we served 325 households comprised of 1043 individuals, primarily in central Baldwin County. Food was our biggest draw followed by aid for rent and utilities. Now we are seeing the effects of foreclosure," Prockup noted. "Needs are growing. We used to see about one in three new clients, not it's one in two."
Baldwin County has been a Mecca of sorts for those looking for work, but this is an expensive area to live in. The perception sometimes is that people come and stay or pass through on a regular basis. However in terms of CSS and its services, only 1% of its clients are transients. "We do know, however, that the homeless as a group have increased 114% over last year based on our point in time count in January," Prockup added.
The CCS program is not particularly "rich," but it has found ways to leverage donations in such a way that a $10 donation is multiplied to a value of $50 or $100 through grants and matching donations related to food, clothing, shelter, medications, school supplies and uniforms, and a variety of household supplies. Just in the first quarter of 2009 CCS has spent $50,000 in matching needs to resources in one way or another. Of that, $8400 came from Catholic Charities, the balance coming from grants and contributions and a portion from United Way. CCS works with a variety of community agencies, including the Council on Aging, the Lions, various church groups, etc.
The agency operates a Thrift Shop over and apart from its Food Shelf operation. The Thrift Shop adds many dollars to the CCS budget. When there are emergency needs (think tornado or fire relief or other special needs), clients end up shopping in the Thrift Shop for nothing! From an emergency disaster perspective, CCS has the only disaster-rated freezer among agencies of its kind.
All clients applying for help are formally evaluated. Clients need to prove who they are, what their income is, and that any bill brought for help is legitimate. In cases of gas or lodging needs, vouchers are provided and not cash. But it is not all food or utilities, because there is help for professional therapy and counseling needs on an individual basis as well through CCS. "If there is a legitimate need, we can figure out a way," Prockup will tell you.
What is needed now? How can the community help? Yes, food is always up there. "Right now we need non-perishable items, particularly things that do not require cooking. Canned, cooked food is a special need. Small quantities of perishable food items are okay, but given our limited space, people need to check with us before bringing this kind of donation to our food shelf," Prockup adds. Catholic Social Services is located at 23010 Highway 59 in Robertsdale. Donations or opportunities to volunteer time on specific help projects can be discussed with CCS by calling (251) 947-2381.
