Donations are the lifeblood for any nonprofit organization and the Port Arthur International Seafarers’ Center received some help from a neighbor.

Bruce Block, store director of the HEB on Gulfway Dr. in Port Arthur presented a $5,000 check to help with transportation needs of the PAISC.

According to a press release, the store will provide charitable contributions throughout the year to assist with funding transportation needs. The purpose of the program is to provide free transportation for seafarers and other crew members of marine companies in need of purchasing goods through the local Port Arthur and Sabine Pass ports.

“The seafarers’ center is a vital component to the economy of Port Arthur. This $5,000 donation will help because the Port Arthur port is the choice of mariners in small and large vessels,” Block said.

The Rev. Sinclair Oubre of the PAISC said there’s a lot of tonnage that passes through the port and each seafarer spends on average $100 each to the local economy.

“The economic impact per year from these seafarers is $2.6 million and local taxes are being paid,” Oubre said. “If the sailors didn’t bring the crude oil in, the refineries would shut down. They have a significant economic impact.”

He added the seafarers enjoy the Southeast Texas hospitality and HEB taking care of the mariners will help a lot. The funds will go toward the eventual purchase of a 15-passenger van.

Mariners often spend six or more months away from home Oubre said, and the fact the PAISC offers them rest and recreation in addition to working all the time is a big help.

Doreen Badeaux, president of the PAISC, said free transportation to HEB is a plus since food on the ships may not always be the freshest.

Block added he brought eight boxes of produce to the ships, and they disappeared in no time.