LAFAYETTE — Services provided by Lafayette Catholic Service Centers to the homeless and needy received a boost of $375,000 Thursday from donations made through the Diocese of Lafayette’s Opus Christi Magnum fundraisers.

The generosity "speaks well for the city of Lafayette” and "shows the heart of the people and their concern” for those in need, said the Most Rev. Michael Jarrell, bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette, at a brief news conference Thursday.

In 2008, the Diocese of Lafayette converted its annual gala fundraiser into a series of smaller fundraisers called "Opus Christi Magnum,” Latin for Great Work of Christ.

The series events feature spiritual reflections, presentations on the nonprofit agency’s work and a cocktail reception.

The series is the main fundraising source for Lafayette Catholic Service Centers operations of eight programs that serve the homeless, hungry and poor.

"Ninety three cents of every dollar (raised) goes to serve the poor in the eight agencies operated by the Lafayette Catholic Service Centers,” said former state Sen. Mike Michot, who is co-chairman of the series with Beth Ardoin.

The nonprofit agency does not receive funding from the Diocese of Lafayette’s annual Bishop’s Services Appeal, and donations through Opus Christi Magnum are critical to the services Lafayette Catholic Service Center provides, Michot said.

"The fundraiser has been absolutely essential to helping us operate and giving us strength and stability,” said Kimberly Boudreaux, executive director of the Lafayette Catholic Service Centers.

The 2011 series donations exceeded the goal of $350,000, and the additional funds will be used for construction and expansion needs.

The funds over the goal amount place the agency "in a position where we can respond to the loss of services in the downtown area,” Boudreaux said.

In September, Acadiana Outreach Center, a local nonprofit agency that provided services to those in recovery from homelessness or addiction, announced its interest in selling its downtown properties because of dire financial straits.

The properties were purchased by the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority.

Boudreaux said the shelter has taken on some of the services previously offered downtown such as free legal assistance provided by the local bar association and the management of a regional homeless database.

Additional office space at Lafayette Catholic Service Centers is being carved out for those services.

AOC also provided other services including a place where homeless people could take a shower, use the bathroom and do laundry, and Lafayette Catholic Service Center is trying to raise more funds to help fill that need.

Boudreaux said her agency is in discussion with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to take over a grant that helped fund hygiene services in the downtown area.

She said the Lourdes Foundation has made a contribution to the project and another $30,000 to $50,000 is needed for the construction of a hygiene facility.

Lafayette Catholic Service Center’s annual operating budget is nearly $2 million with 83 percent of its expenses directed to programs, according to its 2010-11 annual report.

In November, the agency appealed to the community for donations for its St. Joseph’s Diner, which provides hot meals to the hungry, and its food pantry for the poor and elderly.

At that time, the agency reported it had spent its annual budget for food purchases due to the high need in the community.

The demand for services is particularly heavy during the winter, Boudreaux said.

She said freeze plans are in effect Thursday and Friday for its St. Joseph’s Shelter for Men — which means no one will be turned away if the shelter reaches capacity.