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•  Volunteers
•  Usable household items
•  Donated cars and boats
•  Your continued support and prayers

Our History

Founded in 1969 by Sr. Celine Fahy, MFIC  (1912 - 1983) in downtown Augusta. This deanery level ministry gave out small amounts of food, and clothing to the less fortunate of the community.  Due to the pressing needs of the community in 1981 Catholic Social Services moved into a small house on Arsenal Avenue on the property of St. Mary's on the Hill. Over the next few years a food pantry was added, a clothing area for the needy was opened on Central Avenue, and services were expanded to meet the urgent needs of the poor.  A Thanksgiving and Christmas program was initiated that provided meals and gifts to over 300 families (1100 people) during each of these holidays.

Catholic Social Services, Augusta is supported by private donations, the Deanery Churches; St. Mary on the Hill, Church of the Most Holy Trinity, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Joseph, and the Diocese of Savannah. Additional funding is obtained through City, State and Federal grants as well as grants from local and national foundations as well as local businesses. CSS has a staff of 3 full time, and 6 part time employees, and dozens of local volunteers to assist in carrying out our ministry to the less fortunate.

Over the years CSS has grown to be one of the best known multi-service providers in the Central Savannah River area currently offering assistance with food, clothing, prescription medications, emergency transportation, emergency shelter, dental assistance, job referrals, and assistance to migrants. In FY 98 CSS performed over 43,000 services for our clients, and provided over 50 tons of food to the needy.  By the year 2002 CSS touched the lives of over 45,000 people, and distributed over 91 tons of food.  It should be noted that over 95% of the people we serve are not of the Catholic faith.

In 1999 Catholic Social Services purchased property at 811 12th Street in downtown Augusta.  This 4,000 square foot facility provides handicapped access, handicapped bathroom facilities, adequate office space, privacy for the client and interviewer, is on the bus line, and places the Ministry in the Metro Augusta area closer to our clients.

As a footnote to history it is interesting that CSS moved back to the same street, and to within 4 blocks of where Sr. Celine Fahy began this ministry 33 years ago.

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