Catholic Women's League seeks new members, volunteers

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
Feb. 8, 2007

The Catholic Women's League, Inc. of Sioux City is seeking new members and volunteers to help at the Bargain Center.

A donation of $5 per member allows for 24 Masses a year, two a month, to be offered in the members name. Masses are also said for members at death. Father Dennis Meinen, chaplain at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City, says the Masses.

"Anybody is invited to go out and attend the Masses," said Barbara Kindig, who is on the membership committee for the CWL and a member at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Sioux City.

There are currently about 660 members of the CWL with hopes of more members since the organization's membership drive is underway. About 16 board members are led by Lexie Kuhl, who is president of the Catholic Women's League.

"Anyone can join, even family members," said Kindig. "They do not have to work here to belong."

The object of the Catholic Women's League is to maintain and operate the Bargain Center until such time as the board by a two-third majority vote deem it unprofitable, to administer to the poor, underprivileged and afflicted, to cooperate with other service organizations and to work with all city parishes to aid with tuition assistance for Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools of Sioux City.

The Catholic Women's League runs the Bargain Center located at 1001 West 7th St. in Sioux City. The store is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All of the items sold at the center are donated. Kindig noted that the prices are reasonable.

"A lot of people know us and keep coming back," said Kindig. "Sometimes they won't even buy anything, but they just come in to see us and say, 'hi.' We do a lot besides selling products. It is a place for people to come and spend an hour. We are always happy to see everyone that comes in. They all have a story. We enjoy seeing them."

The current building has been up and running since August 1976. The first store was opened in March 1952. Kindig mentioned that there are hopes to add onto the Bargain Center in the future.

Currently there are about 90 to 100 people that volunteer at the center at least once a month. Volunteers help with tasks such as sorting and folding clothing, cashiering, cleaning, sorting through bins, picking up hangers, washing items and anything else that needs to get done.

"Some ladies can give only a couple hours and others give a day out of the month," said Kindig.

Rose Leber, who has worked at the Bargain Center for 29 years, helps with the electrical products. She cleans and prepares appliances and electrical items to be sold.

"We are not getting paid in money, but we are so blessed because of the customers that come in," said Kindig. "It is very rewarding to be working down here."

The profit from the Bargain Center supplies emergency help to the unfortunate, donations to the poor and assists Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools of Sioux City - tuition assistance fund.

"A lot of people come in that the churches have sent to us," said Kindig. "We give them clothing, dishes, silverware, pots and pans, furniture and electrical equipment. Some of them are homeless, some have had fires and need to replenish and some are on hard times and need a little bit of help. We do give a lot of charity out during the year."

Donations to the Bargain Center are welcome during business hours or can be deposited in the drop box located at the back door of the center. Kindig requests that people primarily bring items into the store.

Memberships may be sent to Catholic Women's League, Inc., DBA Bargain Center, PO Box 955, Sioux City, IA 51102. If interested in becoming a member or volunteer, people can call (712) 233-2578, (712) 239-3375 or (712) 255-0575.