Organization: FRANCISCAN CENTER INC
Mission: The Franciscan Center, Inc., a ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis Assisi of Milwaukee (Franciscan Sisters), is a multi-faceted emergency outreach agency serving the poor and homeless of Baltimore regardless of age, race, creed, national origin, or geographic area.
Activities: Dining Program: With a small staff and many volunteers, the organization serves a nutritionally balanced meals on-site for hundreds of impoverished individuals and families with children each day. The Center normally serves over one hundred thousand meals annually which increased to well over 300,000 during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Pantry Program: The Center provides groceries for individuals and families. Clients verified as eligible by the Baltimore City Department of Social Services receive groceries for three days of balanced meals. The Center provides groceries to hundreds of households each month. The pantry is normally open from 10am to 2pm. Donated food items supplement grants to keep the pantry stocked. During the pandemic, groceries were provided outside of the building to needy individuals and families.
Clothing Program: The Center provides men, women, and children with clothing of all kinds from shirt to socks to shoes to coats as well as clean appropriate clothing for job interviews and funerals. This resource is particularly beneficial for the homeless, the working poor, and those who have temporarily lost their homes due to fire or eviction. The Center also offers hygiene products such as soap, toothpaste, and shampoo for all clients. During the pandemic, facemasks and hand sanitizer were also provided to all clients.
NTEE category: Human Services
Secondary category: Food, Agriculture & Nutrition