Catholic Women's League donates time and money

By Kenny Keane, Globe staff reporter
Posted November 14, 2002

Bishop P.J. Garrigan helped form the Catholic Women's League, Inc. (CWL) back in November of 1911 for the purpose of giving help to the needy of Sioux City. He must be smiling down from heaven knowing the league is still around nearly a century later fulfilling that same purpose.

One way the CWL helps to meet the needs of those in Sioux City is by providing tuition assistance to the Catholic Schools of Sioux City (CSSC). On Nov. 8, during a check presentation ceremony held in front of St. Joseph Church in Sioux City, the CSSC received a donation in the amount of $108,900 from the CWL.

"They've been doing it for the Catholic Schools of Sioux City since our inception in 1997," said Josh Faber, director of marketing and public relations for the CSSC. "Ever since that time, we have received an annual donation from them, and for the last five years, that has been in excess of $100,000."

The money is raised through the proceeds from a resale shop called the Bargain Center, located at 1001 W. 7th St. in Sioux City. The Bargain Center has been in existence since 1952 in different locations until settling into its current location in 1960. The store was later reconstructed from an old service station into its present form.

Although the looks and locations of the store have changed, the function of the store has remained the same. People donate items such as beds, refrigerators, washers, sheets, curtains and many household items. However, according to Barbara Kindig, a member of the CWL, the majority of the store's inventory consists of clothing.

"We receive lots of clothing - shoes, coats and all types of clothing including children's, ladies' and men's," she said. "Then we in turn sell them to very wonderful people. We really get to know the people who come in there.

"We treat everyone with dignity. We laugh and cry along with them as the occasion calls for because some come in just to say hi. Some will come in everyday."

The daily hours for the store are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and those who work at the store do so on a volunteer basis.

"There's absolutely no paid help at all - just strictly volunteer," Kindig said. "We pay our expenses like our light bill, heat, repair on the furnace and various things like that."

Aside from those expenses, Kindig said all of the money generated from the store is given away every year. She said the vast majority of it goes to the Catholic schools to help with tuition, but she added that they probably give between $30,000-$35,000 to organizations such as the Red Cross, the Indian School, the Salvation Army or Queen of Peace, Inc., among others.

"Many times during the year, we will help someone out who has a need such as paying rent or to help someone who has to move," she said. "We might help someone pay a light bill occasionally. So it isn't just to the Catholic schools, but that's our main purpose. That's where the huge amount goes."

The generous amount allocated towards tuition assistance allows the CSSC to operate, according to Faber.

"Quite honestly, it means that tuition can be made more affordable not only for the almost 300 students who receive financial aid from the Catholic Schools of Sioux City from donations like this, but it also means that tuition for the other families is lower because we don't have to find a way to provide for them," he said. "It helps keep tuition affordable. This helps more students have the access that they need to Catholic education, which is so important to not only the Catholic Women's League but also all Catholics in Sioux City."

Kindig said there are 675 members who support and belong to the CWL, and she said they are totally committed to the ideal of allowing children the opportunity to attend Catholic schools.

"In this day and age, this is so important. We are helping in a small way to give these children a Catholic, religious education," she said. "They can say 'God,' and it's okay. This is what makes these schools so valuable because you are allowed to say 'God' and 'Jesus,' and you are allowed to worship."

The members of the CWL, who pay a $3 fee to join the league, represent every parish in Sioux City. Kindig, who is a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, said that's an important thing, but she also added that volunteers who work at the store do not have to be Catholic.

She said they are always looking for more volunteers, but just the fact that 90 to 100 women already volunteer 10, 15 or 20 hours a week of their time sends a strong message, according to Faber.

"They treat it like a job, and it's professional to them," he said. "Their efforts mean that 300 kids get to go to school. So we're exceptionally grateful for all their service and the example that they set for our students not only in their service but in giving back to their community in a lot of different ways."

One way in particular that working at the store and fulfilling the purpose of the CWL has affected the lives of its members, according to Kindig, is coming into contact with a wide variety of people.

"Golly, they are wonderful people," she said. "I have a lady who comes in there every single day and buys for other people, and she just gives to the homeless. She doesn't have anything.

"To see the outpouring of care and concern that comes in there, it is wonderful. We don't get paid any money, but boy do we ever get paid knowing that we are helping somebody. We get so much more out of it probably than the people do. They don't realize how they touch our lives."