From NC Catholics
The Tar River Regional Office of Catholic Charities hosted an open house for its new facility Oct. 19. The building, which includes 5,000 square feet of space for offices and a food pantry with refrigeration, was also blessed by Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama the same day during a short ceremony.
Student singers from St. Peter Catholic School shared the gift of music. Lisa Perkins, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh, and Rudy Kellerman, a volunteer and board member, shared readings.
The program included words from the bishop as well as Liz McDowell, who has been with the organization since 2016 and currently serves as regional director, P.J. Connelly, mayor of Greenville, and a client.
According to McDowell, the new space will allow the office to expand its reach and serve twice the number of families it served last year.
McDowell said the office is about more than food services, it also offers immigration assistance and groups to support parents and people making household budgets.
“I think the one thing that’s most on my heart right now is how thankful and blessed our office has been with volunteers and financial support,” she said. “We’re stronger together and I can’t stress that enough. Every single piece is important to the puzzle to make it a whole.”