This week’s United Way agency is St. Catherine’s Food Bank in Durant.

The food bank was started in 1997 by a Franciscan Monk named Brother Norbert Karava at the request of a woman attending St. Williams Church at the time.

The food bank gives out bags of food and various clothing and toiletry items to families in need.

The only information the food bank asks for is the visitor’s name address and number of people in the household.

Who is St. Catherine’s Food Bank? “We’re a place for people to get food, at least one meal if not two,” said Marilyn Hitchcock.

Hitchcock said all people need to do is come in and ask for food.

What is the food bank’s goal in Bryan County? Hitchcock said the goal is to help people as much as possible in today’s economy.

She said that many of the people who come to the food bank only come once or twice because they have been laid off or are just going through a hardship.

“As long as people need us we’ll be there,” said Hitchcock.

Who does St. Catherine’s serve? Hitchcock said St. Catherine’s serves anyone who comes to the food bank.

She said that people from all over Bryan County come to the food bank for assistance.

How can the Bryan County Community help? Hitchcock said the people can help by donating to the Red River Ford Food Drive and the Bryan County United Way.

She said that there are some who have hosted their own food drives and volunteer at the food bank as well.

“People are very giving in Bryan County,” said Hitchcock. St. Catherine’s Food Bank is located at 1015 North First Ave. in Durant.

The food bank is open every Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. except for the first Wednesday of every month when they are closed.