Christian Service Center in Abbeville receives ‘generous’ gift

The St. Mary Magdalen Christian Service Center has helped many in Vermilion Parish to not go hungry this year.
The Christian Service Center, located in Abbeville, has provided families with more than 300 tons of food in 2013. The center relies heavily on donations to help its cause.
The Food Net drive serves as an enormous part of collecting those donations. The drive is set today for 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will take place at Stine Lumber Company in Abbeville.
“We collected about six tons of food during the drive last year,” Center Director Deacon Randy Hyde said.
Collection of food is as important to the center as anything. Still, there is upkeep for the facility, among other aspects, where monetary donations go a long way. The center receives neither federal nor state funding.
The center received such a gift last Friday. Patrick and Vanessa Granger donated $50,000 to the center.
“The Christian Service Center and the community of Abbeville have been greatly blessed by your generous spirit,” Hyde said of the Grangers. “Your willingness to step up and help to fill a need in the community is extremely heartwarming.”
Hyde said the funds will help with repairs and maintenance to the Christian Service Center’s facility. That includes electrical wiring. The result will be that the center can continue its mission in ‘14 and beyond.
“The money will help to keep the center running smoothly,” Hyde said. “It will give us the ability to repair and purchase the necessities to help the poorest of the poor of our community.”