Catholic Charities move to bigger office to support more families amid spike in demand for help

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — About 30% more families are asking for help paying bills and putting food on the table since the pandemic, Catholic Charities reports.

In response, the nonprofit has moved its main office to a bigger one, closer to West St. Augustine where many of its families are.

“I’ve been traveling the world and seeing a lot of different countries, and what they’ve been going through, and to come home to America and see the need of how many families are still in need here in America was overwhelming,” John Fermani, a volunteer with Catholic Charities, said.

Fermani knew he had to help.

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These days, he can be found in the food pantry where he stocks shelves and fills grocery bags.

“[The families are] so humble and they’re so thankful for what they receive here,” Fermani said.

Each week Catholic Charities gives up to 30 bags of groceries to families from its main office.

“The need continues to increase, we don’t know when that’s going to stop,” Ricardo Rosado-Rodriguez with Catholic Charities, said.

He says since the pandemic hit, Catholic Charities has been busier than ever.

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“Giving people that kind of light, that support they need to get back on their feet,” Rosado-Rodriguez added.

He says with the charity also expanding its four hubs (one in Bunnell, Palatka, Crescent City, and Hastings), volunteers are giving almost 400 bags of food in total to families each month.

“It’s just rewarding, it’s rewarding,” Fermani said.

To him, just being a part of one big mission is invaluable.

Cox Media Group