St. Mary's Interfaith Community Services
Along with providing healthcare and childcare services, the dining room at St. Mary's serves a hot breakfast and lunch to those in need of food, as well as an afternoon sack meal for those who will not have dinner that evening.
Father Alan McCoy first opened the doors to St. Mary's dining room in 1955, using an abandoned bar and restaurant to serve meals to the Stockton homeless. Now known as St. Mary's Interfaith Community Services, they have grown to include a clothing and hygiene center, a medical clinic, and a dental clinic. They also offer a variety of social services and a Head Start infant, toddler, and preschool program for children. Every day, the dining room serves a hot breakfast and lunch, and provides an afternoon sack meal to those who will not have access to food in the evening.
St. Mary's Interfaith Community Services offered its first Homeless Court in January 2006. It has now become a monthly opportunity for the homeless community to clear up minor offenses without the fear of incarceration or fines. Individuals then serve their sentences through volunteer work or by participation in substance abuse or mental health programs.
The cold and rain of San Joaquin winters brings an increase in demand for weather-appropriate necessities. "The winter months are always a prime time for us to be looking for jacket donations, blankets, and sleeping bags," says Edward Figueroa, CEO of St. Mary's Interfaith Community Services. Figueroa says those items are in such high demand during the winter that they often go out as soon as they are donated.
St. Mary's Interfaith Community Services has felt the effects of the current economic climate. "Our numbers have increased but our funding has not increased at the same pace," says Figueroa. The community can help manage the increase in need through financial support or through in-kind donations of items such as food, clothing, personal hygiene goods, medical supplies, and cleaning supplies. Volunteerism is also essential to their operation and anyone from kindergarteners through senior citizens can help. "Anyone who is interested in volunteering can come down and make a difference," says Figueroa.
This month, St. Mary's Interfaith Community Services will participate in the 22nd annual Super Bowl Appreciation Luncheon, along with more than thirty other non-profit organizations. This luncheon marks the only fundraising event for St. Mary's Interfaith Community Services for the year.
For information about volunteering with St. Mary's Interfaith Community Services, visit: stmarysinterfaith.org or (209) 467-0703.
