While thousands of vehicles pass St. Charles Social Concerns on a weekly basis, few people may know the full magnitude of the work that goes on inside both sides of the building – work that helps local residents in a variety of ways.
St. Charles Social Concerns is located at 1601 Paul Maillard Road in Luling. The building is divided up into two areas – the store on the right side and the office on the left side. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and the office is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Carol White, the president of Social Concerns who takes care of the day-to-day operations of the organization, explained that the non-profit runs a thrift store where they sell donated items. The money generated from the store’s sales are added to donations from donors, churches, and other funding agencies to help people in St. Charles Parish.
“We want people to know that we’re here,” White said. “Our organization does do a lot for the people of St. Charles Parish and helping the community. This is something that’s needed here.”
White said people in need visit the office for assistance for a bevy of things – from help paying rent or their utilities to help affording their needed medications. She added that the office runs a food bank as well.
“It makes me feel so good that I’m able to help someone else in need,” she said. “It makes your life just feel fulfilled.”
Yvette Perrilloux works in the office as the emergency assistance coordinator. She said it is amazing to see first-hand how grateful people are for the help.
“One thing about St. Charles Parish … they look out for each other,” Perrilloux said.
White works with a board who help to oversee the organization. She said the staff at Social Concerns are able to immediately assess needs and provide help, as well as point people to other agencies in the area who may be able to help as well.
The Social Concerns store is stocked with clothes, electronics, wedding dresses, pots and pans, and other items typically found in a department store. In addition to selling items, White said the store also is able to give away uniforms to students or items to people in immediate need – such as house fire victims or people fleeing from abusive relationships.
“We also have the means to put people in hotels if needed,” she added.
During Hurricane Ida the staff opened the store, even without electricity, to feed people and give away needed supplies and clothing.
“People are very grateful that we’re open and that we’re here,” she said. “People in the community are good at donating things.”
Craig Cuccia, who serves on the Social Concerns board as the treasurer, said the group is always looking for more volunteers and board members. He said the Social Concerns store is able to provide job training to many people who need it.
“It’s very important because we can fill in the gaps where a lot of other funding gets restricted … we can reach between those cracks and allow funding,” he said. “That’s why it’s so important that people continue to keep us in mind. We serve as a place that can distribute funds to people.”
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