More than $486k raised for two local charities
Father Mark LawlorMOORESVILLE — St. Thérèse Parish is giving back in a big way, raising more than $486,000 for two local charities serving the poor and hungry in the greater Mooresville community.
Parishioners capped off their yearlong 75th anniversary celebration the first weekend of October with a banquet, Family Fun Day and liturgical celebrations. Throughout the year, they raised money to cover a variety of celebrations and events – and vastly exceeded their charitable goal of $250,000.
Proceeds will go to support two Mooresville-based charities. FeedNC, which provides healthy groceries, hot meals, workforce education and community connections, will receive $353,576. The Christian Mission, which provides rent and utility assistance, clothing, food, skills training and education, will receive $132,693 – as well a substantial in-kind donation valued at $150,000.
“We are humbled by their bold support,” said Amy LaCount, executive director of The Christian Mission. “Our partnership with St. Thérèse is crucial, as their parishioners make all of our programs a reality through regular volunteering, hosting food and coat drives, and financial giving.”
St. Thérèse’s fundraising efforts illuminate the parish’s generous spirit, said anniversary chair Ian Campos. “We had set ourselves the goal of helping raise $250,000 toward the FeedNC and The Christian Mission capital campaigns. Our parishioners and a few non-parishioners really came together in the ‘St. Thérèse Little Way’ and have pledged $486,269 collectively toward these campaigns.”
Popularly known as The Little Flower, St. Thérèse was a cloistered French Carmelite nun who died young in 1897 but was renowned for her simple approach to the spiritual life, seeking to do ordinary little things with extraordinary love – thus the “Little Way.”
St. Thérèse Parish has had longstanding relationships with Feed NC and The Christian Mission dating back decades. Both charities are in the process of building new facilities to meet growing demand for their services, particularly in the wake of the pandemic and economic conditions.
FeedNC’s $7 million facility underway on U.S. 21 (Charlotte Highway) in Mooresville will feature “The St. Thérèse Food Pantry” and an outdoor “St. Thérèse Picnic Area” to commemorate the parish’s support and dedication to the charity’s mission.
FeedNC (which stands for “Food Education Essentials Dignity”) serves about 150 clients a day experiencing food insecurity. More than 5,000 people a year are served through a variety of services, and the nonprofit is receiving 40 new applications a week from individuals and families in need.
“St. Thérèse Parish has truly made an impact and are true partners of FeedNC,” said Lara Ingram, executive director. “It’s really astounding how generous people are and how much people understand the need. COVID changed everyone’s life. People saw their neighbors having need and responded.”
Fundraising during a pandemic was challenging, she said, but the parish was instrumental “in helping us reach the finish line on our building project.”
St. Thérèse has partnered with The Christian Mission since the 1950s, helping families break the cycle of poverty.
“We’re so grateful for their help,” LaCount said. “It’s great that we can invest in the community together.”
The organization, which works to break the cycle of poverty and help people become self-sufficient, has seen a 30% increase in requests from individuals and families in need of assistance.
Its capital campaign has raised $2.3 million toward its $5 million building project, scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2023. The new facility will feature “The St. Thérèse Kitchen.”
Father Mark Lawlor, pastor of St. Thérèse Parish, appreciates how his parishioners embraced the community outreach. “I was very pleased with our efforts, organization, charity and participation. It was a big boost to our parish and to the agencies that we supported,” he said.
Campos added, “We are a truly blessed parish and one that knows how to share its blessings with a joyful heart. May Thérèse continue to bless and inspire us in her own ‘Little Way’ for many more years to come.”
— SueAnn Howell
Make an impact
FeedNC and The Christian Mission welcome volunteers and financial contributions as they pursue their missions. For information, go to www.feednc.org/feednc-building-a-bigger-table and www.ourchristianmission.org.