Volunteer in Goose Creek

The Lord's Ladle Cafe is a soup kitchen located in Goose Creek. It is a ministry of the Goose Creek Methodist Church and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The Lord's Ladle Cafe offers homemade hot soups, sandwiches, drinks, and desserts and is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. All are welcome to visit and fellowship at the Lord's Ladle Cafe, however donations are also accepted. It is located at 142 Redbank Road, Goose Creek, SC. For directions, please click here. If you would like more information about this ministry, please call 843-553-6842.

Results of Clean of Heart Program

Prior to the opening of Clean of Heart, the homeless population in downtown Columbia, SC had few options for washing their clothes. With the opening of Clean of Heart last March, individuals may now wash their clothes and themselves in a clean facility where volunteers meet their needs and greet them with a smiling face.

 The shower facilities at Clean of Heart

The laundry facilities at Clean of Heart

One person who has benefited from these services said this:

"I can't believe the city of Columbia even allowed Clean of Heart to open. I don't know what I would have done without the services, other than take my clothes and myself to the river which I have done, however, it would have been real cold this winter. The staff is beyond helpful, Cathy has the patience of a saint and Mary is unbelievably nice herself. All the volunteers are very helpful. I can only hope that as long as I am homeless and others are too that this service in Columbia will continue. Thank you Clean of Heart!!"

 If you would like to donate to Clean of Heart, please visit this donations page.

Echo House Sponsors Needed

Echo House is a senior center supported by the Diocese of Charleston located in North Charleston, SC. They are presently in need of sponsors to provide lunch for the local seniors. If you or a group are interested in helping with lunch for approximately 20 seniors, please call the Coastal Catholic Charities office at 843-308-9361.

A Message from Clean of Heart Volunteers

Each week volunteers dedicate their time and energy at Clean of Heart, a Columbia, SC, Catholic Charities ministry. Clean of Heart provides laundry services  and showers to the downtown Columbia homeless population. It recently celebrated it's one year anniversary.

 Clean of Heart Facilities in Downtown Columbia. It is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 to 12:00.

Check out what these volunteers had to say about their experiences at Clean of Heart:

"It's truly incredible that Clean of Heart has been open one year. What has this meant to me? It simply means, on the days I am able to volunteer, I am blessed to be able to give 100% of my time and attention to be of service to the people who really need to know how much we are. Thank you Catholic Charities"- Paulette Campbell

"Our Monday mornings at Clean of Heart: good work, good people, good feeling. Thanks for the opportunity!"- John and Janice Norton

 Regional Coordinator Mary Trivisonno with volunteers Gwen Skipper and Claire Wagner

If you are interested in volunteering with Clean of Heart or learning more about this program, please call 803-254-9776.

Hispanic Outreach Initiative at Coastal Catholic Charities

Coastal Catholic Charities is excited to announce the inception of its Hispanic Outreach Initiative, specifically designed to address the needs of Spanish-speakers in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties. South Carolina has the fastest-growing Latino population in the United States—its Hispanic population more than doubled in size between 2000 and 2010— and the services offered through Coastal Catholic Charities are vital to the empowerment of this burgeoning client base[1]. These expanded services include: subsidized dental cleanings, a subsidized dental replacement program, subsidized advanced dental care (e.g. fillings and extractions), subsidized vision exams/glasses, prescription assistance, a free monthly wellness clinic, and a supplemental food pantry for those ages 60 and older.

The two licensed social workers who comprise the Coastal Catholic Charities office are dedicated to creating an inclusive program that is directly aligned with Catholic social teaching on immigrant populations, which exhorts that “regardless of their legal status, migrants, like all persons, possess inherent human dignity that should be respected[2].”  Thus, in adherence with Catholic social justice, our staff endeavors to foster an environment of peace and unconditional acceptance to all who are in need of assistance.

Coastal Catholic Charities would like to express its profound gratitude to our many donors, without whom our programs would not be possible. Your unflagging support allows us to fulfill our mission of “serving God’s family throughout South Carolina.”  

To make a donation today, click here.

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[1] National Council of La Raza (2012); U.S. Census Bureau (2010).

[2] United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (2011).