Catholic Charities lends help to those in need

In this time of stress and turmoil, the Houma-Thibodaux Diocese would like to remind residents that along with the priceless faith that church can provide, it can also supply financial assistance through Catholic Charities.

“We’re offering financial assistance for people who are facing eviction or disconnect of their utilities or need to keep their prescriptions filled,” said Kathryn Anderson, Catholic Charities Houma-Thibodaux Associate Director. “So we can help them with paying an electric bill or a phone bill.”

Residents can also apply for $100 grocery store vouchers.

“If they decide they really just want food, then they can get more than one voucher,” said Anderson.

Catholic Charities currently has case managers stationed in Grand Isle and Schriever who meet with people who have lost income because of the oil spill.

“They’re just being a friendly face and being someone who can listen to what they’ve been going through and what they’ve been experiencing,” said Anderson.

Anderson said because many people feel too proud to ask for financial help, the case managers are willing to simply listen to residents experiencing financial difficulty, just to help them feel better.

But for those wishing to receive financial assistance, residents must show the case managers proof that they have been negatively impacted by the oil spill.

“They need to be able to show, whether it’s with pay stubs, tax returns or a commercial fisherman’s license, that they were making a certain about of money before, and since the oil spill has happened in April, they’ve lost money,” said Anderson.

Catholic Charities also researches claims to make sure they are valid, so their limited money supply goes to those who really need it.

“Some people were affected by the oil spill and have lost money, but they’re still making several thousand dollars a month. That’s more than what their expenses are, so we aren’t able to help them in that situation,” said Anderson.

But she said they are willing to help those who have applied for a claim through BP, so it’s not an either-or situation.

“We like to fill those gaps,” said Anderson. “We see ourselves as just a little bit of help to help you get by for this month.”

So far, 32 people have received rent or utility assistance and more than 200 food vouchers have been handed out in the diocese.

Along with financial help, Catholic Charities looks to give residents mental help through their social services.

“A lot of people have been very worried. They don’t know if this is going to be the end of their life as they know it, because they can’t fish,” said Anderson. “There’s so much that’s unknown, so when people come to us, they are at a crisis point almost. We are able to refer them to crisis councilors through Louisiana Spirit.”

But since Hurricane Katrina, the Houma-Thibodaux Diocese wanted to help people with their hands as well as their wallets.

That’s when the Matthew 25 Disaster Response Volunteer Network was formed.

Standing 712 members strong, the team looks to help with disaster preparedness and recovery.

Because they are unable to help with the oil spill clean up efforts in the Gulf and on the beaches, they are helping any way they can to provide moral support to the community.

“It started after Hurricane Katrina, and so they served hot meals, they cooked food, they did laundry for the shelters and they visited with the shelter residents,” said Anderson. “Then between Katrina and Gustav the Matthew 25 team focused on preparedness.”

She said many of the church-parishes have had hurricane preparedness seminars after masses, and some of the team members helped the Alidore community near Raceland recover from December’s heavy rains and subsequent flooding.

Anyone interested in joining the Matthew 25 team or in need for financial assistance or counseling can contact their local church-parish or call the Houma-Thibodaux Diocese’s office at (985) 868-7720.

Lacie Thibodeaux interviews a client at the Catholic Charities office in Houma. Local diocese residents can apply for food vouchers, as well as financial assistance for rent, utilities or prescriptions. COURTESY PHOTO