NeWs: Volume 29 Number 3
Fall 2015
Waco, Texas
Beyond Hunger to Hope
Inside This
Issue:
2 Executive Director’s
Report:
Caritas Thrift Stores
3 Food for Families,
continued
4 Esther Morales
and the History of
HELPINGS
6 Caritas Honors
Outstanding
Volunteers
7 Caritas Needs
Volunteers
7 360 Club and
Benefactors Club
8 Caritas Lunch Tours
8 National Hunger &
Homelessness Week
9 Heart of Texas CROP
Hunger Walk
10Remembering Bill
Clarke
11Memorials & Honors
12Caritas Calendar
Food for Families Food
Drive Enters 26th Year
T
he “Food for Families” food drive has been a tradition in the Waco community for
over a quarter of a century, and it has become more and more important in recent
years. Conducted on the Friday before Thanksgiving, the drive produces a significant
source of food for several local pantries, including Caritas, Shepherd’s Heart Pantry,
Salvation Army, Acts Storehouse, St. Francis Social Ministry, Church of the Open Door,
Shepherd’s Heart Lorena, Shepherd’s Heart Robinson and Hands of Mercy.
These pantries depend on the food drive donations to meet the needs of the clients
they serve. While FFF is not the only source of food, the amount and variety of food
items that are donated play a huge role in the successful operations of these organizations.
KWTX-TV, H-E-B, the Boy Scouts of America and the Texas National Guard sponsor
the drive, and each plays a key part in its success. KWTX informs the community about
the event and helps the public understand the need for food donations. H-E-B provides
Please see “Food Drive” on page 3.
From the E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r :
Caritas Thrift Stores:
A Great Way for You to Support Our Work
L
et’s talk about the Caritas thrift stores and how
important they are to the operations and services
of our organization. Clearly, it’s tough for people
who exist on very little income to go to retail, or even
discount, stores and purchase items that they need.
With this in mind, Caritas has positioned its thrift
stores to be low-cost shopping venues where prices
are more affordable for customers who don’t have
much disposable income.
In addition, the stores also function as sites for
clothing and household-item distribution. Clients
receive clothing “vouchers” through the Caritas
emergency assistance staff, and they are able to redeem
these at either thrift store.
Last year, almost 11,000 clients received free items
from the thrift stores at a value of $104,977. That is
a huge number of people being served with basic
necessities.
The thrift stores also provide a stream of income
back to Caritas in support of its emergency assistance
services. This is why we invite everyone in the
community to shop at the stores.
However, none of this would be possible if it
were not for the generosity of the Waco community.
Individuals, businesses and organizations regularly
make donations of clothing, useable household goods
and furniture to the stores. These donations form the
inventory for the stores.
Our challenge is to receive enough donations
to stock the stores with merchandise that is in good
repair, attractive and of value to shoppers. We have
an ongoing need for such donations, and fortunately,
the community consistently responds to our needs.
To accommodate these donations, Caritas recently
added a new warehouse, which processes donations
and readies items for sale at the stores. Located at 620
North Robinson Drive, the warehouse has quickly
become indispensible in receiving, sorting and pricing
items.
This facility uses Caritas staff and volunteers to
carry out these duties, but it is also a site for special
2
Caritas Newsletter
Saturday sales twice a month. Such sales attract a large
number of buyers and help move products—and, at
the same time, generate income.
So when you think about supporting Caritas,
please remember that your donations of useable
clothing and household items are extremely important
for our clients and our overall operations. Donations
can be made directly at either store—3116 Franklin
Avenue or 3016 Bellmead Drive—and also at the
warehouse at 620 North Robinson Drive. (See below
for hours of operation and contact information.)
Ladies of Charity Store
3116 Franklin Avenue
254-753-0125
Open Mon. - Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday
Bellmead Thrift Store
3016 Bellmead Drive
254-799-0777
Open Mon. - Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 am - 5:00 p.m. n
Fall 2015
Food Drive
continued from page 1
boxes and equipment to help move the food from collection
sites to the Caritas warehouse. Boy Scouts of America offers
a wealth of volunteer support, and the Texas National Guard
provides people and equipment to help with food pick-ups
and preparation of donations to be stored at Caritas.
Caritas is the lead pantry for Waco-McLennan County and
is responsible for coordinating local FFF activities, including
recruiting volunteers and organizations to participate in the
drive. The Caritas warehouse will receive and process food
donations and will later distribute food to the participating
pantries. Shepherd’s Heart Pantry and Salvation Army assist
with food pick-ups on that day. Other pantries provide
volunteers and conduct behind-the-scenes activities to help
with the event.
The “Chairman’s Cup” competition forms an important part
of the drive by pitting businesses, schools and congregations
of “like” sizes and types in friendly rivalry against one another.
The aim is to see who can bring in the most food by weight.
This competition stimulates interest in making food
donations and helps generate the large amount of food that
comes in. (Financial contributions can also be used, following
the simple equation that one dollar is equivalent to 2.5 pounds
of food.) The groups that bring in the largest amount of food
donations will be recognized in a special awards ceremony in
January 2016.
Mark November 20th on your calendar and begin preparing
now to participate in the largest one-day food drive in the
state of Texas. The goal this year is to collect 400,000 pounds
of food in McLennan County alone. (Last year, more than 1.5
million pounds of food was collected over the entire KWTX
viewing area.)
Donation sites will include all area H-E-B Food Stores,
all area Wal-Mart Supercenters, Sam’s Club, Brookshire’s in
Robinson and KWTX Studios. Donations of non-perishable
food items are needed. The items that would help the most
include the following:
Cereals
Dry Beans
Rice
Flour
Sugar
Corn Meal
Pastas and Spaghetti
Tomato Sauce
Mac & Cheese
Boxed Dinners/Hamburger Helper
Instant Potatoes
Canned Meats: tuna, chili, stew, chicken
Canned Vegetables
Baby Food
Peanut Butter
Items with “pop tops”
If you would like to volunteer for FFF or want information
about participating in the Chairman’s Cup competition, contact
Paula Ray at Caritas at 254-753-4593 x228. n
We want your email address!
I
f you would like to receive periodic updates about Caritas via e-mail, please let us hear from you! You may
go online to www.caritas-waco.org and register at the top of the homepage
to receive updates and quarterly newsletters. If you have any questions,
contact Ann Owen at 254-753-4593, ext. 213.
End-of-Year Gifts
I
Fall 2015
art by Andy Loving
n 2014, Caritas end-of-year gifts totaled almost $80,000! What a wonderful
testament from our donors to the importance of our services. As the last
few months of 2015 approach and you begin to think about your holiday
giving, we humbly ask that you include Caritas. Donations given to Caritas
are used to help provide urgent services to people in need right here in
our community. With an average of 2,400 families entering our doors each
month, you can see that your gifts help so many who struggle to provide
for their families. Your tax-deductible gift assists in moving those families
from hunger…to hope.
3
Caritas Newsletter
Esther Morales and the History
of HELPINGS
by Karoline DaVee
E
ditor’s note: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP) provides nutritional assistance to millions of
eligible, low-income individuals and families. Karoline DaVee
interviewed Esther Morales, the Director of the Helpings:
SNAP Outreach Program about the creation of the program.
Here is her story:
H
elpings was created in Waco by the McLennan County
Hunger Coalition (MCHC) in 2005. According to Esther
Morales, the SNAP Outreach Program was badly needed in
McLennan County because people were coming to the Caritas
Food Pantry repeatedly for help with food. They were foodinsecure, and they were not receiving any federal benefits.
The MCHC then set up a program, located at the Caritas
headquarters, the very place that people were coming for food,
to help people apply for SNAP and other benefits. Morales began
work 10 years ago, helping people to receive much-needed
benefits to help supplement their food supplies. A couple of
years ago, Caritas adopted the program from MCHC, although
the organizations still work closely together.
Some of the barriers that inhibit people from receiving
federal benefits include language difficulties, lack of
transportation and misunderstanding of the process a person
has to circumnavigate to receive benefits.
A large number of people in the McLennan County area
who need SNAP benefits only speak Spanish and have difficulty
understanding how to apply. It might not occur to many people
in the US that transportation would be a hindrance, but, for
low-income individuals, this can be a major burden.
People in need of SNAP will often walk several miles in
order to receive nutritional assistance. Sometimes they pay
people a significant fee to drive them to a food pantry.
Additionally, low-income people typically have limited
knowledge about the process of applying for federal benefits.
Morales says that people are often scared to apply for federal
benefits, and sometimes they hesitate to do it because of pride
or because they think someone else might need it more.
The Helpings: SNAP Outreach Program helps people
to overcome some of the barriers that they face when going
through this process. The program’s mission is …
…to help individuals obtain the federal benefits they
qualify for, and to increase the number of eligible persons
and families in Waco, and McLennan County, accessing the
USDA’s SNAP benefits, as well as other federal assistance
programs such as Children’s Health Insurance Medicaid.
Helpings gives people the opportunity to come to Caritas
and apply for federal benefits, as well as educating people faceto-face about federal programs—and other programs that may
be applicable in their situations. Through HELPINGS, people
receive assistance in setting up an application for federal benefits
on the “Your Texas Benefits” website. Many low-income people
either do not have a computer or don’t know how to use one.
Since the program is located at Caritas, this allows people
to have one stop to get food from the pantry and also apply for
benefits. This saves them time, as well as money they might
have spent on transportation.
Currently, HELPINGS only operates in McLennan County,
but Morales said that Caritas will help people who come in
from surrounding counties as well. She explained that it can
be even more difficult for low-income individuals and families
to find adequate nutritional resources in rural counties than
in urban settings—especially with a lack of transportation
resources.
Anywhere in the U.S., if people are approved for federal
benefits, the amount they receive depends on several factors.
These determining factors include: income amount, age,
4
Caritas Newsletter
Fall 2015
the number of people in a household, shelter expenses and
retirement. The state of Texas also has a criteria of standard
deductions, to help calculate the amount that people receive.
It would seem that helping people sign up for benefits,
thus easing their strained food budgets, would be impressive
enough. However, Morales does more than help the people who
come into the Caritas headquarters. One of the most important
tasks that she performs is in helping Waco Independent School
District (WISD) students sign up for benefits.
Esther Morales describes
her biggest reward as when
people’s circumstances change
for the better because of what
she has done.
Endeavors (VOICE) in McLennan County—the schools are
doing a better job at helping homeless youth.
At the end of the day, Morales said, the main goal for the
HELPINGS program is to educate people on the “big picture.”
People, she said, must be educated on the purpose of federal
benefits. “The benefits are here to help people, not hurt people,”
she said.
She wants her clients to understand that, even if they
receive a small amount of money in benefits, they may become
eligible for other benefits, such as the Weatherization Assistance
Program (WAP), solely because they have their name on a list
with other recipients.
Some people will stop reapplying because of the small
amount they receive. Morales encourages them to see the
worth in saving up the monthly small amount until what they
save becomes large enough to use on an expensive necessity.
Morales explained that the most challenging part of her
job is the difficulty of comparing what she has with what her
clients have. She says it’s important to her that she remains
humble with the people she serves. She described her biggest
reward as when people’s circumstances change for the better
because of what she has done.
When the position as director of HELPINGS opened up
in 2005, Morales says she was excited about taking on the
position. Although she loves her job, the continuing need for
her position shows that there is still a lot of work that needs
to be done in McLennan County.
—A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Karoline DaVee is a Professional
Writing major at Baylor University. For more information about
HELPINGS, go to www.caritas-waco.org.
Several years ago, WISD had one of the largest rates of
homeless students in the state. This may seem shocking, but
Morales said that homelessness includes some categories that
people have not considered. “If you live with Grandma, you
wouldn’t think you would be homeless, but by law you are
considered homeless,” she said.
“You would be amazed at how many homeless youth live
in their cars, at hotels or with friends,” she added. This is one
of the reasons that HELPINGS has proudly partnered with
WISD for three years to help alleviate food insecurity among
students.
The partnership began when officials
discovered that many homeless youth in the
WISD were going hungry. The partnership
allows for a HELPINGS office to be housed in
the three main WISD high schools: Waco High
School, University High School and the Brazos
High School Credit Recovery Center.
Caritas is looking for opportunities to partner with area faith
The program allows students to receive SNAP
based groups. The agency has a variety of offerings that can
benefits without worrying about transportation.
It is also confidential. Many homeless students
be beneficial to congregations and help them increase their
live with friends or on the street, and are unaware
awareness of the severity
of their current health benefits status because they
of poverty and hunger in
are not in communication with their parents, so
the community but also
what Morales does for the students is crucial.
to see the role of faith in
“We’re working together with the school to
addressing such problems.
make sure each one of those children has the
opportunity to apply for those benefits,” she said.
Contact Buddy Edwards at
Although the rate of homeless youth in
bedwards@caritas-waco.
Waco is high, Morales believes that, through
org or at 753-4593, ext.
partnerships such as the one between Helpings
205 for more information.
and WISD—as well as with the introduction of
programs like Viable Options in Community
Caritas Offers Resources to
Area Congregations
Fall 2015
5
Caritas Newsletter
Caritas Honors Outstanding
Volunteers
O
n August 27th, Caritas held a Volunteer Recognition
and Celebration Event at the Texas Life Annex at 900
Washington Avenue. Volunteers who had given 100 hours or
more of service from June 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015 were
honored with goody bags, certificates and a meal donated by
Whataburger.
Caritas could not provide services to so many individuals
and families in our community without the wonderful support
of our many volunteers and we are very grateful for each and
every one of them.
Listed below are those who were honored at the event:
Individuals:
Sheryl Sykora
Outstanding Volunteer of the Year with 979.25 hours
Theresa Anderson
Carol Andrus
Roselind Bustillos
Veronica Cabarrubia
Michelle Cabarrubia
Tom Clark
Mary Cunningham
Whit Fox
Kelli Garner
Marilyn Ginnane
Rosalie Griffin
Rose Haft
Judy Hagen
John Hagen
Annie Harris
Connie Hernandez
Kelly Johnson
Jon Kass
Dixie Lane
Rosemary McMullen
Rosavelia Morales
Jack Munos
Michael O’Brien
Bolanie Owomyela
Betty Oxley
Ronald Philpot
Jarrod Prowell
Gloria Ramos
Patricia Remsberg
Diana Rodriguez
Christine Rodriguez
Curtis Roorda
Patricia Scanes
Sheri Scott
Alice Svoboda
Jim Swanson
Barbara Vasquez
Bobbie Wallace
Carl Yarbrough
Businesses and Organizations:
Baylor Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Outstanding Volunteer Organization of the Year with 916.5
hours
A Better HCS
Atmos Energy
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
First Baptist Church Woodway
Greene Family Camp
Moody High School
National Charity League, Waco Chapter
Reicher Catholic High School
White’s Chapel UMC Middle School Ministry
White’s Chapel United Methodist Church
Left: Sheryl Sykora was the outstanding Caritas Volunteer of
the Year with 979.25 hours logged in the Food Pantry.
6
Caritas Newsletter
Fall 2015
Caritas Needs Volunteers!
Volunteers Needed for Daily Operations A Variety of Tasks
C
aritas is always in need of volunteers. At this time, we need
groups and individuals in several places to help with daily
operations. We would love for people to volunteer regularly
(once a week, for example), but we will welcome you and sign
you up for whatever you can do!
As you can see, there is plenty to do at Caritas, and there is a
wide variety of tasks! Please call Paula Ray at 254-753-4593 ext.
228 to sign up. You can also sign up on our website at www.
caritas-waco.org. You will love volunteering at Caritas, and you
will be making a big difference for our neighbors in need. n
Help Needed Daily at Caritas Food
Pantry
We need volunteers in the food pantry to sort food, stock
shelves and fill food orders Monday through Friday.
Help Needed at Thrift Stores
& New Thrift Store Warehouse
At the Caritas Thrift Stores (located at 3016 Bellmead Drive and
3116 Franklin Avenue) and at the new Thrift Store warehouse
(620 North Robinson Drive), we need volunteers to help sort
donations of clothing and household items.
Caritas Thanks Our 360 Club
and Benefactors Club Members
M
embers of the 360 Club pledge a donation of at least
$30.00 per month, which will provide assistance for a
family for an entire year. Such a small investment can make a
tremendous impact on a family who is struggling to provide
the most basic needs for themselves and their children. We
thank the following members for their support:
Anonymous
Laurie and Don Bagby
Mackie Bonner
Ellen Brown
Guy Cox
Lynnette and Mark Geary
Lisa Hull
Danni and Dan Mayfield III
Rose Ann and John McAnally
David L. McLatcher
Dr. Gene Murff
Dr. Helen Short
Ann-Nita and David Whitby
make an immediate impact on the families we serve. We thank
the following members for their support:
Copper Cup Level
Frances Callan
Coyla Ketchy
—For more information about the 360 Club or Benefactors
Club, please contact Ann Owen, Development Director, at
254-753-4593, extension 213.
M
embers of the Benefactors Club
pledge to give at least $100 per
month, which covers the cost of a
one-time assistance to 40 families
over the course of a year. These funds
Fall 2015
7
Caritas Newsletter
There Really IS a Free Lunch!
Y
ou’ve heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” There’s even a book by that title. However, at Caritas,
there really IS a free lunch! Twice a month, Caritas hosts luncheon tours at our main location during the noon hour. We
share information and updates on all the incredible programs and services offered to our community, and then take guests
on a tour of the facility. Here are just a few phrases we have heard from participants:
“Wow! Just…Wow!”
“I had no idea you did so much” and
“You are doing amazing work here.”
We would love to have you (and a guest) join us for lunch—whether you are a new friend of Caritas or have been a
supporter for many years. We guarantee you will enjoy it, and you will learn something new. For more information or to
attend, please contact Ann Owen, Development Director, at [email protected] or (254) 753-4593, extension 213. n
The Local Committee for
National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week
Presents the 2015 Schedule of Events
November 15-21:
This year’s local NHHAW theme is “Caring Never Gets Old: Responding to the
Needs of Seniors,” focusing on senior hunger & homelessness.
Nov. 15: Sunday
Kick-Off, Church Under the Bridge
• 10:30 Breakfast, 11:00 worship service
Heart of Texas CROP 5K Hunger Walk
• 2:00 Registration, 3:00 5K Walk begins
Bledsoe Miller Park, 300 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Nov. 16: Monday
Letter-writing campaign
• Time & location to be announced
Nov. 20: Friday
Food for Families food drive
• 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Members of the local NHHAW committee
will cover the HEB on Valley Mills Drive
Nov. 21: Saturday
Altrusa Turkey Trot 5K/10K
Nov. 17: Tuesday
Waco City Council proclamation
Nov. 18: Wednesday
No Events Scheduled
Nov. 19: Thursday
Dinner & a Movie
• 6:30 p.m., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church
Will include an agency spotlight on this year’s theme of caring for seniors
8
Caritas Newsletter
Fall 2015
Heart of Texas CROP Hunger Walk to
Benefit Caritas
W
ant to make a difference for hungry people? Come to
the Heart of Texas CROP Hunger Walk on Nov. 15, to
raise awareness and funds for hungry people here and across
the globe.
Last November, about 100 walkers—and a plethora of
dogs—enjoyed the 5K walk on a beautiful Sunday afternoon
along the Brazos River, while raising around $4,000 to help
bring an end to hunger in the Waco community and around the
world. A portion of the funds from the walk will go to Caritas
of Waco.
This year’s walk will take place on Sunday afternoon, Nov.
15, at Bledsoe Miller Park (300 Martin Luther King Boulevard)
Registration will begin at 2:00 p.m. and the walk will begin at
3:00 p.m. The walk is scheduled for the first day of National
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. (See page 7 for
more about the local NHHAW schedule.)
the world—including the 4 million Syrians who have recently
fled from the violence of civil war.
How to Participate
Participants in the CROP Hunger Walk recruit friends and
members of their congregations to sponsor them as they walk.
Registration and preliminary activities begin at 2:00 pm and
participants will start walking at 3:00. The 5K route goes from
Bledsoe Miller Park up the Brazos River Walk, across Herring
Avenue, down through the Pecan Bottoms of Cameron Park
along University Parks Drive to the Washington Avenue bridge,
and back to Bledsoe Miller.
For those who don’t think they can walk for five kilometers
(3.2 miles), there is a “Golden Mile” route. Fun prizes (carefully
chosen from the Caritas Thrift Stores) will be awarded to various
walkers.
If you can’t participate in the walk, please consider
sponsoring someone in your congregation or group. If you
don’t have any sponsors, you can still register on walk day and
enclose whatever amount of money you can afford.
Another option for participation is the online “Walk on the
Web” for registration and fundraising. It is easy and user-friendly.
All you have to do to get started is go to www.cropwalkonline.
org, click on “Texas” and then on “Waco.”
—For more information, contact Katie Cook at 254/755-7745
or [email protected]. You can also check us out at www.
cropwalkwaco.org, or find the Heart of Texas CROP Hunger
Walk on Facebook.
About CROP Hunger Walks
CROP Hunger Walks are held in more than 2,000 cities in
the United States, all during the year, involving hundreds of
faith communities. With the theme “Ending hunger one step
at a time,” walkers proclaim their solidarity with the millions
of people around the world who have to walk long distances
to find food and water—as well as with the millions of people
served by local food pantries, food banks and meal sites in our
own country.
CROP Hunger Walks are sponsored by Church World
Service (CWS), a global, interfaith relief and development
organization. A portion of the funds from
every CROP Hunger Walk goes to a local
Join us for the 2015 CROP hunger Walk!
agency that serves hungry people. Caritas
is the local recipient for this year’s walk.
Heart of Texas
In addition to funding local ministries,
CROP Hunger Walk
CROP Walks help US communities that are
Sunday, Nov. 15
ravaged by floods, tornadoes and wildfires
Bledsoe Miller Park
like the one that recently threatened
300 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Bastrop County just to the south of this
Registration 2 p.m. • Step-off 3 p.m.
For more information,
community.
e-mail Katie Cook
CWS collaborates in the same way
at [email protected]
CROP
Hunger
Walks
help
globally, with local and indigenous
or call 254/755-7745.
to feed hungry people
agencies of all faiths, to respond quickly
around the block and
to communities suffering from natural
around the world!
A quarter of the proceeds
disasters. CWS also works with partners
will benefit Caritas of
in developing countries to bring an end to
Waco. The remaining
hunger in those areas.
proceeds go to Church
World Service to help
In addition, CWS works with refugees
hungry
people in the US
and internally displaced persons all over
and across the globe.
Fall 2015
9
Caritas Newsletter
Remembering a Generous
Caritas Donor
E
ditor’s note: William Travis (“Bill”) Clarke, Jr. was extremely
generous to Caritas. Readers may remember seeing his photo
in last fall’s Caritas Newsletter with executive director Buddy
Edwards, along with an announcement that Clarke had given
the agency a large gift. Caritas staff recently learned that Clarke,
who died last March, also remembered Caritas in his will. The
following is adapted from an obituary written by David E. Skelton.
M
any Texans assert (often falsely) to having an ancestor
who died at the Alamo. Research indicates William Travis
Clarke, Jr. may have a legitimate claim to have been descended
from one of the most famous Texas heroes, through his paternal
grandmother Sarah “Sallie” Travis.
Clarke’s family has a long history of military service to
this country—including his own service during World War
II. Clarke later demonstrated, in one of the final decisions of
his life, a love for his fellow human beings.
Clarke was born on November 21, 1918, in Waco, TX,
the oldest of two sons of William Travis Clarke, Sr. and Julia
Louise (Merrill) Clarke. The Clarke family traces its roots
to Charlottesville, VA, before the Revolutionary War. They
migrated to northeastern Kentucky by the early 19th century.
Clarke’s grandfather Samuel was a farmer who took up arms
alongside his father-in-law during the Civil War. Clarke’s father
was one of four children born to Samuel and Sarah.
It appears the family had little wealth. Nine years after
Sarah’s death in 1901, Samuel and his son, William, were
listed as boarders in nearby Mason County, KY. Shortly after
Samuel’s passing in 1913, William arrived in Waco. This was
possibly the result of his own military service in World War I
while temporarily stationed in Texas.
While in Waco, the elder William met Texas native Julia
Merrill, who was working as a post office clerk. The couple
married around 1917. William was employed in sales for the
W.D. Lacy Coal Company in Waco. Within a few short years
he was promoted to manager. William and Julia then invested
in varied properties in the area.
Bill Clarke followed in his father’s ambitious footsteps.
After graduation from Waco High School, he worked as a parts
clerk for the Central Motor Company in Waco while enrolled
at Toby’s Practical Business College, located at Webster Avenue
and South 4th Street. He then moved to the District of Columbia
to become a civil-service office-machine operator.
In March of 1941, he was drafted by the US Army. On the
eve of the US entry into World War II, Clarke was promoted to
Corporal. This was followed by another promotion to Warrant
Officer Junior Grade in 1942. Clarke served in Europe under
General George S. Patton, where he played a key rolein keeping
US tanks supplied with gasoline and oil.
After the war, Clarke enrolled at the University of Texas
School of Pharmacy at Austin. Upon graduation, he returned
to Waco and worked at Pipkin Drug and (later) Williams
Drug Stores. He then worked as a pharmacist at the Veterans
Administration Hospital until his retirement. He continued
working part-time for several area pharmacies.
Throughout his life, Clarke successfully expanded upon his
parents’ property holdings. Around 1989, at the age of 71, he
sold the family home and moved into the Stilwell Retirement
Residence on Laurel Lake Drive. A lifelong Presbyterian, he
established a scholarship fund in his name at the church’s Austin
College in Sherman, Texas. In one of the last decisions of his
life, he set up a will to disperse his wealth among 13 nonprofits
upon his passing.
Caritas of Waco was one of those beneficiaries. A portion
of Clarke’s gift to Caritas will be used to purchase two trucks,
which will have Mr. Clarke’s name on the sides. The trucks will
be used daily in transporting donated food and other items to
our Caritas warehouse and thrift stores.
Bill Clarke passed away on March 10, 2015, and was buried
alongside his parents in Waco’s Oakwood Cemetery. He is
survived by his brother Wendell and a host of close friends.
His generosity will be remembered for many years.
Left: William “Bill” Clarke, who spent many years as a
pharmacist, was a generous Caritas supporter.
10
Caritas Newsletter
Fall 2015
Memorials & Honors
as of September 30, 2015
In Honor of
Charles Evans III
From: Mary Rolbiecki
Margaret McDaniels
From: Dr. Gary & Jody Barbin
Janet & Jesse Niemeyer
From: Lola & Don Campbell
Agatha (Aggie) George
From: Mrs. Walter Fadal
From: Susan Allen Jackson
From: Janet Meek Jones
From: Ann Meek
Mike Norlie
From: Robin Adair
Dr. Pat Pryor
From: Martha & Edward Vrana
John Ucci
From: Ellen Brown
In Memory of
Bill Bailey
From: Patricia Goss
Robert Johnson, Jr.
From: Beverly Goldman
Robert & Frances Koller
From: Frances & Gregory Norkiewicz
Darrell Slette
From: Sara Jo & Louis Englander
Mary Ann Tovar
From: Martha & Edward Vrana
Ben Younger
From: Jo Ann Looper
Albert Banik
From: Janet Jones
Marilyn Barnes
From: Ann & F J Sheedy
Dulce Maria Muirhead Brooks
From: Joseph Brooks
From: Richard Brooks
From: Brodie Animal Hospital
From: Michael Brown
From: Nancy & Fred Gehlbach
From: Insurors of Texas, Inc.
From: Louise & Buddy Powell
From: Terri & Tim Schmidt
From: David Smith, Daphne Ritz & Central National Bank
Richard (Dickie) Clark, Sr.
From: Patricia Goss
Ila Leigh Cobbs
From: Ellen Brown
From: Michael Cuscurida
From: Cindy & Will Dougherty
From: Susan Duecy
From: Nelda Fletcher
From: Denyse Rodgers
From: Sally & Farrel Rowe
From: Janet Sheets
From: Kathy & Mickey Sparkman
From: Rhonda Harris Taylor
Fall 2015
Tribute Gifts for Caritas
art by Susan Daily, IBVM
Mr. & Mrs. Vic Ballowz
From: Sara Jo & Louis Englander
H
onorary and memorial donations recognize others through gifts made to
Caritas. These gifts are generous and thoughtful ways to create a legacy
that pays tribute to someone’s life.
Tribute gifts are appropriate at any time: the passing of a loved one; a birthday or anniversary; in gratitude—the list is endless. Below are a few ideas to
consider:
• In honor of a special person—friend, teacher, doctor;
• In honor of an occasion—birthday, anniversary, graduation,
wedding, birth, holiday;
• In honor of a group accomplishment—a team, club, organization, co-workers; or
• In memory of a friend or loved one.
Memorials and honoraria are actually two gifts in one: for the honoree or
the family of the person being memorialized, and for Caritas in support of our
many programs. Upon receipt of a gift, Caritas sends an acknowledgement card
to the honoree or designated family member, notifying them of your thoughtfulness.
For more information regarding tribute gifts, please call Ann Owen, Development Director, at (254) 753-4593. extension 213.
11
Caritas Newsletter
Caritas of Waco
300 S. 15th
Waco, Texas 76701
Non-Profit Organization
U. S. Postage
PAID
WACO, TX 76701
PERMIT NO. 322
The Caritas Newsletter is published quarterly by Caritas of Waco, 300 S. 15th, Waco, TX 76701.
Caritas Calendar
Mark your calendar
for these important events!
November 15, 2015
Heart of Texas CROP Hunger Walk
November 20, 2015
Food For Families Drive
February 16, 2016
Helping Hands Happy Hour, Baylor Club
April 19, 2016
Feast of Caring Soup Cook-Off
Caritas Board of Directors
Betty Bauer, Connie Berry, Mackie Bonner,
Frances Callan, T.J. Ermoian, Steve Fontaine,
Rose Goertz, Milet Hopping,
Connie Jefferson,
Stan Madden, Trey Miller,
Tom Newsom, Marcia Olmsted,
Katrina Reid, Rhonda Robinson, Susan Silver (Pres.)
Executive Director—Buddy Edwards
Assistant Executive Director—Eddie Sherman
Development Director—Ann Owen
Dir., Emergency Assistance—Lidia Chavez
Volunteer Coordinator—Paula Ray
Dir., Warehouse Operations—Sally Norlie
Manager, Gifts in Kind Program—Connie Ford
Case Manager—Tammy Stevens
SNAP Outreach Director—Esther Morales
Food Pantry Supervisor—James Bush
Retail Operations Manager—Don Taylor
Newsletter Editor—Katie Cook
Food Donations—Call 254/753-4593, ext. 210
Volunteers—Call 254/753-4593, ext. 203
Thrift Store Donations—254/753-4593
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.caritas-waco.org