Local Causes

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states and in more than 70 countries around the world. Habitats vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat works toward this vision by building and improving homes in partnership with individuals and families in need of a decent and affordable place to live.

AMEN was founded in 1992, as an ecumenical, non-profit providing food assistance to residents of Fayette County. AMEN operates solely on contributions and/or donations received from churches, organizations, groups, and individuals. There are currently 13 churches which supply volunteers that staff the pantry on a weekly basis. Client applications are screened by interviewers to determine the assistance needed. AMEN is a Partner Affiliate with the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. This food bank distributes an average of 15 million pounds of food per year, to more than 370 non-profit agencies in 21 Central Texas Counties.

Second Chance Emporium (Second Chance) is a resale store in La Grange serving all of Fayette County. Opening our doors in 1996, we are entering our 25th successful year in business of providing financial support for local human services organizations with the profits generated. The resale store is run by a coalition of seven local churches (Crosspoint Community Church, First Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, St. James Episcopal Church, St. Paul Lutheran Church, and Shared Lutheran Ministries) representing different denominations. The majority of the work is performed by unpaid volunteers from the member churches, as well as the community at large. These churches receive no monies or in-kind donations from Second Chance for the service hours their parishioners donate. Second Chance accepts donations of items in good, working, usable condition from the public and resells them at very low prices in order to benefit the underprivileged members of our community. Profits from the sale of these items are distributed to local charities which have applied for funding and been selected by the Second Chance Emporium Board of Directors. Many low-income families live in Fayette County. Because Second Chance keeps prices low, these families can purchase clothing and shoes for themselves and their children, as well as necessary household items, furniture and even small gifts. Our customers come from all income levels, however.