The season of giving allows us to serve many

By Traci Kennedy, Executive Director, Catholic Charities

As summer has turned to fall, and winter will be here before we know it, Catholic Charities is entering our most important season of the year: the season of giving.

Thousands in the community typically respond with great generosity during October, November and December. Many make cash contributions to our year-end appeal, on #GivingTuesday or by supporting one of our wonderful Queen Bees, who raise funds on our behalf for our domestic violence and homeless shelters. Others donate items for the benefit of the clients we serve at Harbor House, Our Daily Bread Food Pantry and St. Anthony Family Shelter. Many friends support us in all these ways.

We are grateful

We are grateful for all those who remember us during the season of giving, and to the growing number who have joined our Servants of Hope recurring gift program, helping us to have a continuous stream of revenue throughout the year.

This generosity is crucial for us to be able to serve 13,000 people in southcentral and southeast Kansas each year. Just as important are our volunteers and staff who provided 113,479 individual services for our clients in our last fiscal year. That is 113,479 times we served as the hands of Jesus by providing a meal, opening a door to shelter, tutoring a child struggling to read, standing beside a survivor in court, inspecting new housing for a veteran or walking alongside someone on their journey to better mental health.

Our clients feel the love of God thanks to the generosity of community philanthropists, and private and public foundations who support our work by providing nearly 78 percent of our operating budget.

The need remains high

The need within the community remains high. Our two shelters – Harbor House and St. Anthony Family Shelter – regularly turn people away because they are at capacity. More hungry families are coming to Our Daily Bread Food Pantry each week. Other ministries, such as Adult Day Services, Cana Counseling and Immigration Services, are seeing an increase in the number of clients.

During this season of giving, we pray that God will inspire you to share a portion of your treasure with the vulnerable in the community by supporting the work of Catholic Charities.