St. Francis Evangelization Center, or SFEC, is an agency of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus. In the 1970s, Bishop Edward J. Herrmann wanted further Catholic outreach in the Vinton County community. He asked Sister Christina Kraus O.S.F. to move to Vinton County and be an inspiration of our Catholic faith to the community. She found quickly that it was difficult to nourish people spiritually when so many were unable to meet their own physical needs. She went all over the Diocese to ask parishioners to help her feed our neighbors in VC. Soon we became a food pantry and clothing center that serves the whole county with these basic needs.
SFEC is managed by a team of two full-time staff, two part-time staff, a director, and various volunteers. We all believe we have been called in some way or another to serve our neighbors, providing a hand up in meeting their basic needs.
SFEC is supported through the Diocese of Columbus, many parishes, church organizations, individuals, and grants. We purchase food through the Southeast Ohio Foodbank as well as from Campbell’s, our local grocery store.
SFEC is a food pantry, as such, St. Francis is involved with the Summer Rural Meals Program, CFSP- the commodity supplemental food program for seniors, the Food Prescription program as well as our regular pantry that includes the four weekly mobile sites that reach the four corners of the county.
SFEC also works with many churches within the Catholic Diocese of Columbus to provide Thanksgiving, Christmas toys, and school supplies to families in the County.
SFEC has also developed a relationship with CARE Outreach, a part of the United Methodist Church in McArthur, to better serve the community in our food pantry.
Physical Address:
404 W. South St.
McArthur, OH 45651
Phone: 740-596-5820
Fax: 740-596-4316
Open Monday through Friday, 9:30 am-1:30 pm
Mailing Address:
PO Box 318
McArthur, OH 45651