LAFAYETTE — The community raised $411,350 to benefit services for the homeless and hungry during the Diocese of Lafayette's series of fundraisers, Opus Christi Magnum.

The series benefits Lafayette Catholic Service Centers, a nonprofit organization that gives shelter, food and support to those in need in Lafayette and Opelousas.

"Opus Christi Magnum” means "Great Works of Christ” and those who contribute join in the agencies' mission to help the needs of the poor, said Bishop Michael Jarrell.

In 2010, a total of $411,350 was collected with $40,110 in expenses. The net donation to Lafayette Catholic Service Centers of $371,240 — is only about $10,000 less than the previous year, said Kim Boudreaux, the nonprofit group's executive director.

"It's a remarkable achievement in the economic year we faced in 2010,” Boudreaux said.

"We're deeply grateful for the commitment that the community has made to fundraising for us,” she said.

State Sen. Mike Michot commended the nonprofit group's staff for leveraging its limited funding.

The freezing temperatures of the past few days is a reminder of the need of the agencies' services, said Michot, who is the chairman of the 2011 Opus Magnum Christi events.

The nonprofit organization's operating budget is about $1.8 million.

The St. Joseph Shelter for Men has implemented its freeze plan — meaning no one is turned away when the shelter is at capacity.

"We're housing 80 men a night,” Boudreaux said. "These funds help us do that.”

Prior to the freeze plan, the men's shelter was at capacity with 16 to 17 men turned away because there weren't enough beds, she said.

The organization is below budget with its individual donations and lost a "significant” amount of funding that it had received in prior years from the United Way of Acadiana, Boudreaux said.

To become more efficient, the organization reorganized and cut 3.5 jobs, Boudreaux said.

The Opus Christi Magnum benefits began in 2008 as an alternative to the annual Bishop's Charity Gala as a way to reduce overhead costs of producing a gala fundraiser.

The series of smaller fundraisers feature spiritual reflections led by Jarrell, presentations on the nonprofit organization's work in the community and a cocktail reception.

A series of eight Opus Christi Magnum gatherings have been proposed for the 2011 fundraising series.

For more information about how to attend an event or make a donation, contact Dawn Cole at (337) 288-5007 or visit http://www.catholicservice.org/.