Every day, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., serves the most vulnerable population by feeding, housing, empowering, and encouraging all in need. This summer, you can help.
Catholic Charities offers donors the opportunity to give directly to the causes they care about through the annual “Summertime and the Giving is Easy” campaign.
The Campaign gets back to the basics by reminding the generous faithful about key areas where Catholic Charities assists people throughout the 10-county Diocese of Venice region. Many people live without adequate food, shelter, education and support. Catholic Charities offers people in need in Southwest Florida the help that brings about real change in their lives.
Each year Catholic Charities serves more than 100,000 individuals and families through more than 30 programs. This is regardless of race, nationality or creed. The lingering effects of Hurricane Ian (2022) and rising costs of necessary items continue to put a strain on the resources of people throughout the region. Each day, Catholic Charities works hard to make a difference. A total of 93 cents of each dollar donated to Catholic Charities goes directly to programs and services which ranks the charity among the top in the country.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane said the support of Catholic Charities by the faithful of Southwest Florida is inspiring and critical to ensure “our brothers and sisters in Christ continue to receive the help and support they need. Catholic Charities does a wonderful job in providing programs that not only help in a crisis but assist in improving daily the lives of those they reach. Your support is appreciated, and critical!”
Christopher Root, Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, says all donations, either great or small, will enable Catholic Charities to continue to help those most vulnerable in Southwest Florida.
“We often take for granted the necessities that are basic rights,” Root said. “The annual Catholic Charities ‘Summertime and the Giving is Easy’ campaign reminds us that many people in our communities of Southwest Florida do not have the essentials required to live a healthy life. Please consider a donation for those who lack food, shelter, education and support. You can make a real difference!”
Whether your passionate is about education, food security for children and families, preventing homelessness, helping the vulnerable, please consider providing your support to the “Summertime and the Giving is Easy” campaign knowing your money will reach those in need.
Support a Child’s Success – Support Education
The children of our community will grow into strong leaders by following our guidance. Catholic Charities helps the community’s most vulnerable youth thrive. A donation of $6,500 provides a notebook computer for 20 children; $1,000 gives a backpack full of school supplies for 10 children; $250 provides a new twin mattress, frame, and bedding for a child; $125 supplies diapers, wipes, and hygiene supplies for a mother and child for one month
Give Peace of Mind – A gift that follows generations
Catholic Charities strives to create a better tomorrow – a tomorrow where children and adults can experience hope, recovery, and wellness. Mental health counseling offers the tools necessary to overcome challenges. Different levels of support can make a real difference, such as $6,408 provides life-skills classes for 22 moms for one year; $2,200 allows a child mental health counseling for an entire school year; $1,170 provides a homeless mom with 10 sessions of weekly counseling; $500 helps a survivor of human trafficking with two months of mental health counseling.
No one goes hungry – Feed many
In Florida, 1 in 8 people struggle with hunger, and 1 in 5 of note are children. Your support of the “Summertime” campaign will help combat food insecurity by providing food to children, families, and seniors. For example, a donation of $2,500 provides hot meals for a week at the Casa Maria Soup Kitchen in Immokalee where more than 245 needy individuals and families are provided essential nutrition. Another $1,600 purchases a pallet of black beans, enough to give 500 families a 5-pound bag of beans; $722 provides 250 children with weekend meals when school meals are not available; and $50 feeds a family of four from a food pantry for a week at locations in Immokalee, Arcadia, Clewiston, Naples, and Fort Myers.
Be the Change – Support Self-Sufficiency
Homelessness is an extremely complex issue that impacts both those experiencing homelessness and the entire community. Providing stable, permanent housing is essential in helping families achieve better lives. Support of $10,000 helps maintain five transitional houses for homeless families on their journey to self-sufficiency; $3,900 will house a disadvantaged family with children for two months; $1,197 houses two human trafficking survivors for one month; $75 provides a laundry basket filled with cleaning products to a family transitioning to a new home.
The “Summertime and the Giving is Easy” campaign is a chance to brighten the future for your neighbors who come to Catholic Charities for help. Your gift will make a positive impact on our less fortunate brothers and sisters in Christ.
To donate to Summertime and the Giving is Easy Campaign, please visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org or mail a check to Catholic Charities, “Summertime and the Giving is Easy,” 1000 Pinebrook Road, Sarasota, FL 34285.
Thank you for your support!
