Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Rock Outreach Center got is start in 2005 with a sort of baptism by hurricane, not fire, as officials with Hurricane Katrina refugees then Rita struck.

But through it all, the church found blessings to bestow on those in need.

Blessings are in store once again, this time through Port Arthur LNG’s Season of Giving Initiative.

Rev. Tiffany Baugh said there were things going on that made organizers wonder if they would be able to take part in their annual holiday assistance.

“I said son, you know, it’s Gods will, whatever happens,” Baugh said.

Her son’s friends, who had long participated in gathering toys and such to be distributed, said basically the show must go on.

The Rock Outreach Center is one of a total of 18 local nonprofit organizations receiving grants from the Season of Giving this week in a ceremony held at the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation offices, 501 Procter St.

The renovated historic building was the backdrop for the presentation.

“It’s an incredible blessing,” Baugh said, noting the past few years of rising grocery prices and how that affects low income individuals and families.

The Rock Outreach Center will be giving out toys and items for a holiday meal, Baugh said.

Aaron Tabor and Heather Burton representing Port Neches Police Blue Santa Program were on hand to receive a grant. Last year they were able to serve 175 kids last year, which equals out to about 55 families.

“And at the same time we buy these kids presents, we also provide food, dinner to the families, so they have a Christmas dinner. So kind of go that extra step with that to make sure they have something to eat too.”

The goal with the funding is to help 25 more kids, he said.

Pastors Donny and Jessica Robbins of Life Church were also on hand as grant recipients. The funding will go to help with Thanksgiving baskets.

The need is high, Jessica Robbins said.

“The need is very high,” she said. “As soon as we punt out a call for Thanksgiving baskets that very same day, most of the time, it’s within an hour they fill up.”

Life Church has been distributing baskets for at east 15 years and officials only recently learned of the PA LNG Season of Giving initiative, she added.

PA LNG’s engineering, procurement and construction contractor Bechtel contributed an additional $24,000 to the initiative.

PA LNG presented more than $100,000.

Officials with PA LNG said the grants distributed this week will support various essential hunger related efforts to address food insecurity across Port Arthur.

Each funded organization has established programs to provide direct food assistance to families and individuals who face challenges in accessing nutritional skills.

Grant recipients include:

• Bethel Temple of Praise Deliverance Center Inc.
• Boys’ Haven
• Charlotte’s Cupboard
• Community Care-Prayer Outreach
• Dick Dowling Lions Club of Lions International
• Fit Lab Foundation
• Girls’ Haven Inc.
• Hope Center for Crisis Pregnancy (Hope Women’s Resources Center)
• Janiyah’s Love
• Land Manor Inc.
• Life Church
• Nehemiah’s Vision Inc.
• New Beginnings Ministries Inc.
• Tender Loving Care Center for Children DBA Legacy CDC
• Texas Family car Network
• The Rock Outreach Center
• UBI Caritas
• Village of Faith