MADISON — The Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) of Madison now under the leadership of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, recently closed due to diocesan wide budget concerns and then reopened, is now expanding its services.
Thanks to the overwhelming support of so many, beginning this week the CMC will be expanding its free meal program from three days a week to five days a week. The free meals are offered Monday through Friday from 4 until 5 p.m. at 1862 Beld St. on Madison’s south side.
The meal had been held three days a week since 1982 and feeds between 80 to 100 people a meal. With the exception of one meal a week at another site, this is the only regular meal on the south side of Madison and west of the Capitol.
With its strong support, the center hopes to expand the much needed meals to seven days a week.
Helping the poor
This news was announced at the meal last week and was greeted with loud applause from the individuals and families who were attending the meal.
“This will ensure a secure source of food and nutrition that people can count on,” said Steve Maurice, who has been coordinating the meal for over 11 years.
As people are struggling with affordable housing, having access to free food enables people to stretch their budgets, which helps prevent homelessness.
For those who are homeless, it is a safe place to get food and access to other resources such as basic health care, which enables them to get back on their feet sooner then later.
Raising its own funds
The center, which never raised its own funds before it closed, has had great success since Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish took over the leadership in June of this year. The center has been able to raise over $500,000 in just under five months.
The center is also in talks regarding a couple different partnerships that would significantly increase related services to help the families and individuals who seek help at the center which would fully utilize the already busy CMC.