A place for everything.

Byline: Jack Moran The Register-Guard

As a regular visitor to Catholic Community Services of Lane County's service center at 10th and G streets, Val knew all about the nonprofit agency's food box program.

But until last week, she didn't realize that low-income people could pick up free clothes, shoes, toiletries and children's toys from the agency's new resource room, which opened in August at the site. Visitors there can also inquire about programs offered by the organization and other social service agencies in the county, obtain free bus tokens and use a telephone to make essential calls.

"To be able to (get food and other basic items) in one spot is great," said Val, a Thurston area resident who declined to give her last name.

"They helped me out right away, and I thank them for that," she said before shuffling away with a plastic bag full of various necessities.

Catholic Community Services has long provided assistance to low-income residents at the Springfield service center.

But the opening of a new, expanded resource room - in a building previously used for a variety of purposes - gives agency officials the opportunity to work out of a welcoming, visible office where they can offer basic items and referral services.

It's a comfortable place where people in need can freely discuss their problems, program manager Stephanie Talbott said.

Previously, clients who sought emergency help from service center officials were led into a hallway or some other out-of-the-way location to discuss their options.

"There just wasn't a lot of privacy before we opened this," Talbott said. "So many people want to talk about personal situations, whether it's a medical condition, prescription assistance or domestic violence in their home. Now, they know they can come to a safe place and be treated with respect."

While Catholic Community Services offers a relatively long list of items and services at its Springfield site, agency officials acknowledge that some people need assistance beyond what they can provide. To address that, one of the resource room's walls is filled with information about other local social service organizations and programs specializing in everything from housing assistance to substance abuse treatment.

"If we don't have the answer here, we will at least figure out where to find it," Talbott said.

Items available at the Springfield service center are donated or purchased with donated cash.

Talbott said about 25 people call the resource room each day, and another 20 to 25 drop by for help. She expects that as word gets out, the number of visitors will increase.

"We believe this is an important place," Talbott said.

"There is a definite lack of (social service) resources in Springfield. It is an incredibly underserved area."

CLOTHES, SHOES AND MORE

Catholic Community Services of Lane County recently opened an expanded resource room at its Springfield service center, 1025 G St. Low-income individuals and families can pick up clothes, shoes, toiletries and children's toys, and also receive information about social service programs offered throughout the county.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday

Contact: For more information, or to donate items or cash to the resource room, call 747-0221.

Food boxes: Fresh produce, canned and dry goods are available at the service center between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.