Programs and Services
Food Distribution
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. (John 6:35)
Feeding the hungry is one of the most fundamental Works of Mercy. Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana organizes 12 monthly food distributions across our five-parish region. These distribution sites are located in:
Allen Parish
Kinder—St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 607 4th Avenue
Beauregard
DeRidder—St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1125 Blankenship Drive
Ragley—St. Pius X Catholic Church, 16816 US-171
Cameron
Big Lake—St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 11054 LA-384
Creole—184 E Creole Highway
Calcasieu
Bell City—St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 7120 Highway 14E
Lake Charles— Catholic Charities SWLA Warehouse, 1225 2nd Street
Sulphur—Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church, 602 North Claiborne Street
Vinton—St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1502 Industrial Street
Jefferson Davis
Elton—St. Paul Catholic Church, 1100 St. Mary Street
Jennings—Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, 710 N State Street.
Clients register at their preferred site and can pick up their food allotment there each month. The quantity and variety of food provided depend on family size and available supplies. All clients must re-register annually in July. New registrants may simply bring the required documents (see below) to any of the monthly food distributions at their preferred site throughout the year to register for the program and receive food the same day. Registration takes place at the same location as the distribution, unless otherwise noted. Our food program is open to all.
New Registrants should bring with them to the distribution site:
- A Photo ID, and
- A current lease, rent receipt, or utility bill as proof of residence.
For dates and times of monthly food distributions, please see our calendar (link).
For questions regarding our food distribution program, please contact our office at (337) 439-7436.
Rental/Mortgage and Utilities Assistance
My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. (Isaiah 32:18)
Secure housing is essential for accessing other vital resources, and in Southwest Louisiana, keeping the utilities on is not just a matter of comfort, but also safety. Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana provides Emergency Rental/Mortgage and Utility Assistance to eligible individuals in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis parishes, subject to the availability of grant funds.
Assistance requests for rent, mortgage, and utility payments are accepted on Monday mornings starting at 9 a.m. We are able to process a limited number of cases each week. These requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that calls for rent/mortgage and utility assistance are accepted by PHONE ONLY; we cannot accommodate walk-ins.
Below is a list of documents you will need to provide. Additional documentation may be requested. If your case is taken, a case manager will call you for more information.
- Current Picture ID/ Driver’s License
- Social Security Cards for all individuals in the household
- Current Lease
- Proof of Income for all in the household that it applies to
- Pay stubs – four most recent consecutive
- Social Security Benefit Letter
- Retirement Benefit Letter
- Unemployment Benefit Letter
- VA Benefits Letter
- Proof of Expenses, for example:
- Electric Bill
- Water Bill
- Gas Bill
- Cable/Internet/Phone Bill
SNAP (Food Stamp) Application Assistance
{He} gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures for ever. (Psalm 136:25)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits to help low-income families purchase the food they need. Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana offers assistance with every step of the application process, from setting up an email account to the final interview. Benefits are automatically loaded onto each participant’s card monthly, which can be used at participating grocery stores.
SNAP can be used alongside the monthly food distributions from Catholic Charities, further helping to prevent food insecurity.
Please bring the following documents to your appointment. Failure to provide the correct paperwork will require a second appointment and delay your receipt of SNAP benefits:
- Picture ID and Social Security cards for all household members
- Proof of income for all household members
- Bills and expenses for all household members (e.g., rent lease, utility bills, phone/internet bills, etc.)
Homeless Outreach
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2)
Homelessness is a growing issue in Southwest Louisiana, made worse by the destruction of low-income housing from hurricanes and floods, along with rising living costs. Homelessness is a “gateway problem” that makes it harder for people to access other essential resources like healthy food, transportation, and medical care. In addition to the usual dangers of living on the streets, homelessness is especially risky during tropical storms, extreme heat or cold, and heavy rain.
Our homeless outreach team helps individuals experiencing homelessness connect with resources, provides transportation to appointments, helps with obtaining identification, and assists in getting clients on the waiting list for housing. Once a client is housed, we provide essential home starter supplies and financial counseling to support their path to independence.
Our Mobile Laundry/Shower Trailer offers free showers and laundry services to those experiencing homelessness.
Mobile Laundry/Shower Trailer
And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. (Isaiah 58:11)
Hot showers and clean clothes are everyday comforts many take for granted, but for the clients of our Laundry/Shower Trailer, they are a luxury. Launched in November 2023, our Mobile Laundry/Shower Trailer offers free showers and laundry services. Clients have expressed that this truly dignifying service makes them “feel human again.”
The trailer is equipped with two private showers, four washers, and four dryers. It is regularly used for homeless outreach and can be deployed for emergency sheltering or disaster response when needed. Our Laundry/Shower Trailer visits four locations each month—please note that the schedule is subject to change based on staff availability and weather conditions.
Abraham’s Tent—2424 Fruge Street Lake Charles, LA
Jennings Fairground—810 South Lake Arthur Avenue, Jennings, LA
Open Door Biker Church—423 West Burton Street, Sulphur, LA
Water’s Edge Gathering Church—2760 Power Center Parkway, Lake Charles, LA
Prescription Medications
A cheerful heart is a good medicine…Proverbs 17:22
Access to prescription medications can greatly improve people’s lives. Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana helps cover the cost of certain prescription medications.
The prescription must be for a non-narcotic medication. For psychiatric medications, a referral from your therapist or caseworker is required. You will need to provide a copy of the exact cost of the prescription from the pharmacy, or you can have the pharmacy fax the cost directly to us at 337-439-7435.
Prisoner Re-Entry Services
[I]f a wicked man turns away from all his sins which he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him. (Ezekiel 18:21-22)
Re-entering society after incarceration is a major adjustment, often involving many new responsibilities. Our Prisoner Re-entry Services can support clients with housing and utility assistance, transportation needs such as bicycles and ride-sharing, job search resources, workforce preparedness, and more.
Our program serves parolees who are residents of Calcasieu Parish. Potential clients need to be pre-approved for services through Probation and Parole or through the State of Louisiana—Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI). If not already pre-approved, residents of Calcasieu who are less than 6 months out of prison should present to Probation and Parole for Calcasieu Parish and, if they qualify for services, they may then call Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana for further assistance.
Funeral Expenses
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them (Wisdom 3:1)
Funeral expenses can be particularly burdensome to those already experiencing the death of a loved one. Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana can provide modest assistance with funeral expenses to lighten that burden.
We will need a physical copy of the invoice from the funeral home which can be brought in person or faxed to us directly. Our fax number is 337-439-7435.
Transportation
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go. Psalm 32:8
Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana will provide 4 bus tickets for use on the Lake Charles city bus line to individuals in need of local transportation. This service can be used once per month per individual. Recipients must present in person to receive the tickets.
Birth Certificate/Louisiana State ID/TWIC and Safety cards
O Lord, thou hast searched me and known me! …Thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise thee, for thou art fearful and wonderful. Wonderful are thy works! Psalm 139:1, 13-14
Proper documentation and identification are key to accessing employment opportunities and various assistance programs, helping individuals pave the way toward greater financial stability. Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana can assist clients with the costs of obtaining Birth Certificates, Louisiana State IDs, TWIC cards, and Safety cards. This program is contingent upon the availability of grant funds.
Disaster Relief Services
For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Hebrews 3:4
Southwest Louisiana has faced numerous challenges from hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and ice storms. In times of disaster, Catholic Charities has provided immediate assistance, supply distributions, and long-term recovery support. We stand with the community in rebuilding homes and lives. Currently, we are out of funds for home repairs.
Our staff can assist with limited furniture needs. If you need furniture or wish to donate clean, quality furniture in good condition, please contact our office at (337) 439-7436 for more information.
