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The Community Center is located in the parish hall and can be accessed by Monroe Blvd.
Since 1978, the Community Center at St. Mary of the Isle Parish has served the needs of individuals and families, regardless of religious affiliation or ethnic background.
Under the direction of Ms. Blanca Cales and with the help of fifteen dedicated volunteers, the center is open all year.
The volunteer staff provides basic counseling and will make referrals for clients. |
Services Offered:
Emergency Food Pantry
Used Clothing Closet
Infant formula and baby needs such as layettes and cribs
Funds for transportation to medical and social services appointments
Assistance with housing location
Help with payment of prescription meditation
Basic Furniture Items
Funds to help prevent eviction
Referrals for job assistance |
| Because of the staff's holistic approach to serving the people of Long Beach, they also provide assistance to families in crisis with problems like serious illness, sudden death, loss of employment, marital difficulties, divorce, alcohol or drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, runaways and persons with HIV/AIDS. |
   
 
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Fortunately, anyone in the Long Beach community can find help and support at the Community Center. While all problems cannot be solved, the center volunteers, in a professional compassionate manner, endeavor to assist those in pain to work through their difficulties. Along with these many services, the volunteers seek to encourage people to better themselves and then encourage them to use appropriately the available resources. The goal of the Community Center is to provide necessary but temporary assistance, not to perpetuate dependence. |
| How to Help Monetary donations are always welcome. We can purchase food in bulk and through a variety of programs less expensively than in the grocery store.
Non-perishable food items and supermarket vouchers are always welcome.
Clothing and small household items can be brought to St. Mary's during office hours. Please do not leave clothing or other items outside the doors at night.
Gift cards to local department stores and shops provide the opportunity for those in need to select the items they need most. These are especially welcome during the Christmas season.
If you belong to a Scouting, school-based, or fraternal organization, why not suggest a canned food drive? One Scout collected over 2,000 lbs. of food in a single weekend. You can do it, too!
If you'd like to become a volunteer in the center or if you can help with driving your vehicle to pick up food and other donations - call Ms. Blanca Cales at 432-0157 x 17.
You, too, can be the hands of Christ to others.
Below is a listing of what we need right now.
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Do You Need Help? Please visit the Community Service Center located on Monroe Blvd.
The office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 until 12:00 noon.
If you need to discuss your special needs, please call Ms. Blanca Cales to make an appointment at 432-0157 x 17. Your situation will be kept confidential.
To receive services at other hours or in an emergency, please call the Rectory Office at 432-0157 x 10.
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We are also very low on the following items:
-Cereal
-Jelly
-Peanut Butter
-Canned Fruits
-Soups
-Tuna Fish
-Rice
-Canned Meats
-Dry Milk
-Canned Vegetables
-Wipes
-Disposable Diapers (sizes 4 and up.)
-Disposable razors -Shaving Cream
-Combs/Brushes -Toothpaste
-Toothbrushes -Deodorant
-Most of all Supermarket Gift Cards |
Our Community Center is in great need of paper brown bags or reusable bags, so we may continue to provide food to our community.
We have a vast need in our center as we serve more and more clients.
We are also serving more homeless. Please look in your pantry for flip top cans, so we are better able to service ALL of our community.
Also just as a reminder, we will not accept clothing donations at the center from June 23rd until the beginning of August.
All clothing donations can be dropped off in the green St. Vincent de Paul bin located on Walnut St.
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