Christian Service Center: Providing a “hand up” for 35 years

Christian Service Center: Providing a “hand up” for 35 years

By Fran Thompson
When the Gulf Shores’ based Christian Service Center assists a family with rent, utilities, food and holiday gifts, it most definitely blesses the families. But it also blesses those volunteers who help with case work, answer phones, stock the food pantry and raise funds.
CSC volunteers – and everyone associated with CSC is a volunteer – understand that true joy comes from giving to others. Or as the apostle Matthew put it: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’’
The Pleasure Island community has supported the CSC since it formed in 1988 as an outreach of the Pleasure Island Ministerial Association. Its mission then and now: To help with the social need of residents in this area.
The PIMA congregations recognized the value of combining their resources to serve the continuous requests for aid from Pleasure Island residents in need.
The CSC now also receives funds from the United Way, grants from national and local companies and foundations, civic club donations, gifts from community fundraisers, and donations from interested individuals. But the need continues to increase in this year of inflation.
In 1991, the Center served approximately 420 clients from a loaned store-front. By 2012, the CSC was serving approximately 5,469 clients, many of whom were recovering from Hurricanes Ivan & Katrina, and the 2010 Deep Water Horizon oil spill. The CSC was especially busy during 2020, as citizens dealt with the double dose of a COVID shutdown and Hurricane Sally.
The 2022 challenge is inflation.
“Many clients have struggled with rent increases of 30-35 percent, higher grocery prices, and rising costs in all aspects of life,’’ president Linda Chappelle said. “People are working, some of them more than one job. But their incomes have not increased appreciably while expenses have skyrocketed.’’
CSC has also experienced rising costs for the food it purchases. Specifically, in the first eight months of this year, the CSC has seen a 28 percent increase in client visits and a 36 percent decrease in monetary donations.
But its mission remains the same, as it “strives to be the hands and feet of Christ serving the least able among us.’’
Many times, clients the CSC assists come back to sponsor other families for Christmas when they get back on their feet. And that is exactly the CSC’s goal. It is there to provide a hand up, rather than a hand out.
Just as importantly, its volunteers treat all clients with dignity. Clients are often ashamed of having to ask for help, but volunteers assure them that is not the case. It is about neighbors helping neighbors in the name of God.
Clients are given immediate help with their financial emergency, counseling to help with continual needs, and referrals to other agencies for guidance in seeking a more permanent solution.
Put simply, the CSC provides hope, and that is why it produces so many success stories.
“Going forward we remain concerned about the continuing effect of Covid, the reduction of hours and job losses, as well as an increase in the number of families seeking Christmas assistance for their children,’’ Chappelle said.
“We extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who have blessed the Center and our families through your donations. It is a generous, giving community that makes the work of the Center possible.’’
Donations may be made through PayPal or cscgs.com or by mail to P.O. Box 882, Gulf Shores, AL 36547. Call 251-968-5256 for more information.

CSC’s Toys For Kids at PBR on Nov. 5

Tickets are now on sale at perdidobeachresort.com for the 10th Annual Toys For Kids fundraiser for the Christian Service Center at Perdido Beach Resort on Nov. 5 from 6:30-10:30 p.m. For sponsorship opportunities please contact event founder Terri Long at 251-981-9453.
This fabulous fundraiser has been highly successful over the years in providing funding for CSC’s Christmas Cheer program, providing toys for 500 children yearly. A total of $150,000 has been raised so far. Proceeds also fund CSC’s other children’s programs.
“Support for and participation in this fundraiser can do so much for children in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan. It is only through donations and fundraisers that the all-volunteer CSC is able to assist families in need,’’ Long said.
The event includes live or silent auctions, and 100 percent of all ticket and auction proceeds go to CSC.

Christmas Cheer program for kids

The Christian Service Center Christmas Cheer is a program for local families that need help providing Christmas gifts for their children. And CSC volunteers have been busy getting ready for intake. CSC provides Christmas gifts for children between birth through high school. Last year, 96 families, including 591 children, participated. Families may also sign up for a Christmas food box at the same time. The intake is new this year. It is self-registration and will be held on the front porch of The Christian Service Center Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon beginning Oct. 17. Registration will not be open November 24-25. The earlier you request gifts, the more likely your child will receive just what is requested for them. Clothing requests will not be accepted after Nov. 30.