St. John Ministry of Care officials stress anything donated in St. John the Baptist Parish stays in the parish.

That is great news for local interests, especially with the recent donation from John L. Ory Magnet seventh grader Jenna Beber, who collected canned soup and various other canned goods, resulting in an astounding 1,027 items collected for donation — half of which went to Ministry.

“I am sure this will inspire others, kids and adults, to be more aware of the needs of others,” caseworker Annabelle Provence said.

“The St. John Ministry of Care is so grateful that she knew about the MOC and considered us for such a large blessing. God bless her.”

The St. John Ministry of Care, a United Way agency, does its part to give those in need a second chance. It primarily provides residents of St. John Parish in financial straits assistance in purchasing food or paying rent, mortgage and utilities.

They don’t provide ongoing relief aid, but instead help with a temporary bump for those in need over that hump.

The group also keeps a food bank stocked — something a lot easier right now thanks to Beber — through the donations of local groups, churches and area residents.

Caseworkers interview each applicant and determine the way each applicant may best be helped. In some cases, they relay the applicant to an agency that may help better.

The St. John Ministry of Care is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. It is located on 217 W. Fifth St. in LaPlace. For more information on how to volunteer or donate, the Ministry of Care can be reached at 985-652-2729.

Jenna is the latest local to contribute to this worthwhile organization, which is just as interested in securing volunteer hours, asking for only a minimum of four hours a month.

“It’s a chance to lend a helping hand to people in our community,” Provence told L’OBSERVATEUR in the fall. “It really is rewarding. The only frustrating part is we can’t help everyone, but we do what we can.”