Friends of the St. Clare Center provide holiday meals for local families

Donors raised $6,300 to help feed 52 families served by the at Franciscan Physician Network St. Clare Health Center.

The Friends of the St. Clare Center donated 50 $120 Strack & Van Til gift cards and two $150 gift cards. The organization hoped to raise $2,500 and raised more than two and half times their goal. The multiple donors who assisted in the collection of the $6,300 to support the effort asked to remain anonymous.

The Franciscan Physician Network St. Clare Health Center at 1121 S. Indiana Ave. in Crown Point provides quality, affordable healthcare for the uninsured and underinsured. The center provides preventative care, primary care, specialty referrals and health education. The Franciscan Health Prenatal Assistance Program, newly reopened Fresh Start Market and Diaper Pantry are also housed at the St. Clare Center building.

The new Fresh Start Market replaces the former St. Clare Pantry and mirrors that of the market that opened at 5454 Hohman Ave. in Hammond in October. The Fresh Start Markets are healthy food bodegas where those in need can shop free of charge.

The Diaper Pantry, located adjacent to the Fresh Start Market, provides diapers, wipes and other essentials for free to parents in need.