A hand when
you need it.

Reaching out to extend a helping
hand when you are in need.

A hand when<br />you need it.

History of Chapin We Care

The We Care Center was formed out of recognition of the need to coordinate the providing of assistance to needy families in the Chapin Area. During Christmas in 1985, it was realized that some needy families were receiving multiple gifts of food from multiple churches while others received nothing. It was also noticed that some people were going from church to church asking for help. In February of 1986, people from 10 area churches met at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church to discuss working together under one umbrella of a central organization. The consensus among that group was that by keeping records and developing relationships it would be easier and more efficient to provide real help where it is needed; hence, Chapin We Care Center was established.

Chapin We Care Center was incorporated on September 30, 1986 as a group of Chapin area churches working together to provide a food bank and assistance ministry for those in our area who needed emergency help. For many years, our place of operation was the old Chapin United Methodist Church. The church who owned the building carried all the insurance on it and allowed We Care to use the facilities at no charge.

As the area grew, we decided to build our own center on property leased to us by the St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church. Plans were drawn, fund raising began, and we raised enough money to pay for the building outright so there was no mortgage or lien. This was due in large part to the efforts of the Chapin Sunrise Rotary Club. During that time we applied for and received 501 (c) 3 status, effective January 22, 2001.

The We Care Center operated out of this building until March of 2014 when it moved next door to a newly renovated building that previously housed the St. Francis Thrift Store. The facility was leased by St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church to We Care at virtually no cost, and funds for renovations came from contributions from area churches and individuals. Chapin United Methodist Church provided much of the labor through its Missions team.

The Chapin We Care Center now operates three days each week providing assistance to individuals and families from the areas of: Chapin, Peak, White Rock, Pomaria, Little Mountain, and Prosperity.