Mission Statement

Caritas of Waco is a nonprofit charitable agency chartered by the state of Texas. Founded in 1967 by the Austin Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church. Caritas became an independent agency in 1979.

The unique mission and purpose of Caritas is to provide immediate aid with food, presciption medications, clothing, household items utilities assistance, rental and mortgage assistance for those facing eviction or foreclosure, emergency lodging and/or transportation directly to people with emergency needs, or to people who are not eligible for services from other agencies.

Caritas is governed by a sixteen-member multi-ethnic, interfaith board of directors. The agency's staff is composed of 25 full-time and part-time employees, which does not include STEP (Senior Texan Employment Program) workers and Baylor work study students, as well as 300-350 different volunteers per month

Caritas' monthly expenditures average approximately $60,000.

According to Caritas' 2004 IRS 990, over 98% of every dollar given to Caritas comes from "public support". Also, over 90% of all contributions go into providing direct assistance . The accounting of Caritas' funds are done by the Business Services Department of Jaynes, Reitmeier, Boyd and Therrell. Caritas is audited annually by George Dethlefsen, CPA.

As already indicated by the "public support" item above, Caritas is primarily supported by the contributions of individuals. It is also supported by various faith communities, civic and social clubs, service organizations, charitable foundation, area businesses and individuals. Caritas receives some funding from federal, state, county, and city grants. The annual Feast of Caring is the prime fund-raising event. Caritas became a United Way Agency for the 2003-2004 campaign year.

Because Caritas is a 501 (C)(3) agency, all contributions are tax-deductible

Caritas helps anyone who has emergency needs regardless of age, sex, or ethnicity. The majorty of recipients are residents of McLennan County, but especially food, clothing, household items, travel, and emergency lodging is open to anyone in need, regardless of geography. All recipients are interviewed and screened for emergency needs. Many of our recipients are referred to Caritas by other social service agencies or area churches.

Caritas offers assistance through two programs: 1) Emergency Assistance-providing assistance with food, prescription drugs, clothing, household items, utilities, rent/mortgage assistance, emergency lodging and transportation, and Thrift Stores-operating three thrift stores in the Waco area. All thrift stores are self-sustaining with excess revenues going into the Caritas Emergency Assistance Fund. Also, the thrift stores provide clothing and other items free of charge upon referral from Caritas administrators, quality low cost clothing and other items to persons who otherwise could not have these things because of their economic condition, and employment for individuals desirous of working in a service oriented, non-profit agency.