"It is the mission of Corpus Christi Metro Ministries to help create a community that is free from hunger and homelessness."

In the 1970s and early 1980s Corpus Christi found itself with a burgeoning homeless population.    Unfortunately there were no formal facilities to help these hungry children and adults.  In response to this need Corpus Christi Cathedral, First United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church began  providing hot meals at their respective locations.   The demand, however, soon became too great.

Mayor Luther Jones called a meeting of the leaders of Corpus Christi’s major downtown churches.  A four-fold plan was established to provide food, shelter, employment assistance and spiritual care for the poor.  The John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Foundation purchased a facility to house the entire  operation and turned it over to Metro Ministries, which incorporated in October of 1982.

Metro Ministries’ Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers are committed to continuing to care for the chronically homeless on Leopard Street and the hundreds of working poor who come to us each week.  As part of our continuing efforts to improve our services, we are constructing a $2.4 million facility (10,000 square feet) that will serve as the new home for the Loaves & Fishes free cafeteria and Rainbow House for women and children.  What a blessing this will be for the children and adults who find hope and a better life through Metro Ministries!

I thank you Corpus Christi for the warm welcome. For the past twenty-five years I have lived on the East Coast initially in Pennsylvania then in southeast Georgia and south Florida and back to Corpus Christi. No matter where I have lived, when asked where I was from my response was always the same, "I’m from Texas." While gaining experience in nonprofit management, I missed being near family and Texas was always home. So it’s good to be home. When my husband and I decided that we wanted to be near family I asked the Lord for a position where I could continue to help those in need and utilize my knowledge and experience. Corpus Christi Metro Ministries was the answer and I couldn’t be happier. I get to go to work everyday with a staff that loves what they do. In addition, I get to work for a Board of Directors that believe in the mission of CCMM, are true leaders in the community, dedicated to their commitment and most of all love the Lord. Yes, there is always more work than there are hours in a day and that is just expected if we want to sustain programs that offer a better quality of life to the homeless and poor. The coffee cup on my desk states that "success is doing what you love" and I do love what I am doing. Bless you for your support of Corpus Christi Metro Ministries’ services and programs.

Rosa E. Pizzi
CEO & Executive Director