Social work group moves to new headquarters

Paying it Forward~Neighbors Helping Neighbors may be a popular Facebook group among locals, but the organization was around before its social media presence.
Through Facebook, however, the group has grown, and on Saturday, the group expanded its presence by holding a St. Mary Parish Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting at its shop at 813 Fourth St. in Morgan City.
“God has just blessed us,” said June Mire, the group’s treasurer. “We now have this building. We’re busting at the seams.”
Mire has been doing social work for nearly 40 years and said she did things with the group through Holy Cross Catholic Church.
She and current Paying it Forward President Chantel Guillott teamed together last year, and the organization has continued to grow and still does work with Holy Cross and St. Mary Outreach.
The group provides items to the needy and elderly as well as mothers of babies.
The new facility includes a gift shop where gift baskets, flower bouquets, balloons and wood swings are among the items sold. Plans are to do sign rentals as well.
Proceeds from the shop are used to buy items that the less fortunate cannot purchase with their food stamps, Mire said.
“Everything stays in this area,” Mire said.
On Saturday, sweets were sold at the open house, lemonade from Hanna’s Lemonade, and raffle tickets. All proceeds were given to the organization.
Additionally, all workers with the organization are volunteers.
While the group is renting its current location, Mire said eventually the group would move to a bigger facility.
For those who wish to volunteer with the organization, they can find the organization on Facebook at Paying it Forward~Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, contact Mire at 985-992-0900.