Catholic Multicultural Center provides assistance and vital services

The Catholic Multicultural Center's food pantry helps those in need stretch their food budgets (Franco Latona/Madison Commons).Tony Rhones said he always feels welcome at the Catholic Multicultural Center.  Today he is carrying a couple bags of groceries to his car that he picked up in the center's food pantry.  His gray knit hat and dark leather jacket protect him from the cold December wind.  Rhones said the multicultural center is a great resource for south-side residents.

“This is the best thing that could happen to this community for people in need, and I've been in need for a long time,” he said.

The Catholic Multicultural Center offers a variety of services to low-income individuals.  It serves a daily meal inside the center, and the food pantry is open for an hour and a half every Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning.  Additionally, the multicultural center provides basic healthcare checkups, career counseling and computer skills classes among a host of other services.

“No matter what their beliefs are, no matter what their political views are or what race they are, [people] are welcome here,” said Antonio Quintanilla, the service coordinator at the Catholic Multicultural Center.  “We don't use our service to convert people to our faith because our mission here is just to serve.”

Antonio Quintanilla has has worked as the worked as the Catholic Multicultural Center's service coordinator since 1999 (Franco Latona/Madison Commons).Quintanilla, who's wavy black hair has grown past his shoulders, has worked as the center's service coordinator since 1999.  He started as a volunteer, and when a paid position opened up, he seized the opportunity.  Quintanilla said he likes his job, but says that he never can quite leave work behind.

“When you're going to bed, you're thinking 'how is he or she doing, I hope everything is going to be alright;'  And thinking about how can I do better tomorrow with the resources that we have, he said.”

About sixty people came through the pantry Tuesday afternoon, filling their carts with loaves of bread and canned beans with the help of one of the center's volunteers.  Each shopper is allowed a certain poundage of food each week, based primarily on the number of people in their household.  Quintanilla said they like to give shoppers “free choice” on which items they want, but said some essential goods must be limited to ensure nobody is left without.

In addition, shoppers can receive a plastic bag full of essential items like bath soap and toothpaste.  Like the food pantry, the quantity is determined by the number of people in the shopper's household. 

Alex Evans stopped by the pantry to pick up food for his family.  He said he has kids at home, and grocery bills can get expensive.

“It's a big help, that's all I can say,” he said.

Quintanilla said people are always welcome at the multicultural center when they need to escape the cold Wisconsin winters.  Hot coffee is always on hand, and people can take showers and wash their clothes as needed. 

Rhones said he appreciates the kindness the center's staff has shown him over the years.

“They never turn their back on you.  Whatever you need them for, they're here,” he said.

The Catholic Multicultural Center will be hosting its third annual Radiothon on today from noon to 6 p.m. through the radio station La Movida, (WLMV AM-1480).  Proceeds will support provisions for the food and essential items pantry, and the center's employment assistance program.