Every day, Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, Inc., serves the most vulnerable population by feeding, housing, empowering, and encouraging those in need.
Now, you can help Catholic Charities by donating to the annual “Summertime and the Giving is Easy” appeal.
The Summertime appeal 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 or support. Catholic Charities offers people in need in Southwest Florida the help that brings about real change in their lives and provides hope for the future.
Each year Catholic Charities serves more than 100,000 individuals and families regardless of race, nationality or creed, providing a wide range of services at 21 locations throughout the 10-county Diocese of Venice. The support of the faithful allowed Catholic Charities to meet the continued demand for aid following the devastation of two hurricanes in 2024. Catholic Charities works hard to make a difference. A total of 93 cents of each dollar donated to Catholic Charities goes directly to more than 20 programs and services which ranks the charity among the most efficient in the country.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane said the support of Catholic Charities by the faithful of Southwest Florida is inspirational and crucial to ensuring “our brothers and sisters in Christ continue to receive the help and support they need. Please remember that every number represents a child, family or individual who relies on the support of Catholic Charities to get through a crisis. Catholic Charities does a tremendous 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 M. Root, Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice Inc., said every contribution to the Summer Giving Appeal, no matter the size, becomes a blessing to someone facing hardship and a reflection of God’s love in action.
“For many of our neighbors across Southwest Florida, summer can bring increased hardship – children without reliable meals when school is out, families struggling to make ends meet with increased utility bills, and vulnerable individuals searching for hope during difficult times,” Root said. “At Catholic Charities, our mission is rooted in the Gospel, and is a call to love and serve one another with compassion and dignity. Your support for the Summertime appeal will help provide hope and critical support to thousands of individuals and families across Southwest Florida.
“From food and housing assistance to help with utilities, medications, counseling, and other essential services, your generosity allows Catholic Charities to continue answering the call for those most in need,” Root said. “Together, we can bring compassion, stability, and hope to our communities.”
Whether your passion is education, food security for children and families, preventing homelessness, or helping the vulnerable, please consider providing your support to the “Summertime and the Giving is Easy” appeal knowing your contribution will reach those in need.
For the purposes of better serving the needy, Catholic Charities hs divided into four regions, with each addressing the unique needs of the people who are seeking assistance.
Region 1 serves Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties with a variety of key services. One of the most impactful programs is Our Mother’s House. Located in Venice, this two-year transitional housing program provides single mothers and their young children with stability, support, and renewed hopes during difficult times. The program gives mothers the opportunity to continue their education, participate in life skills classes, build financial stability through increased savings, and focus on developing careers for long-term success.
Region 2 serves Lee, Hendry and Glades counties. A program that has provided decades of outreach is the Catholic Charities Children’s Center in Fort Myers. The program empowers elementary and middle school students through academic tutoring; mentoring literacy support; social skills development; and comprehensive case management. Programs like this equip young people with the confidence, values, and skills needed to build bright futures. Today, 80% of the Center’s enrolled students go on to pursue higher education, while the remaining 20% continue their path through trade or vocational schools.
Region 3 serves all of Collier County. There is a special focus on Guadalupe Social Services, located in the heart of Immokalee. This program has served individuals and families in need for more than 40 years. Through hot meals, showers, clothing assistance, pantry services, and so much more, the program recognizes the dignity of every person, providing, compassion and hope to those facing difficult circumstances. Each month the program serves hundreds of individuals and families, including providing thousands of hot meals to those in need every month.
Region 4 serves DeSoto, Hardee and Highlands counties. Poverty in DeSoto County is a harsh reality for many families. To address the growing need, at the end of 2025, the Arcadia Food Pantry transitioned its drive-thru pantry into a choice pantry with expanded hours. This allows families to select the foods that best meet their needs. Since then, the pantry has seen a 500% increase in those seeking food assistance and is now serving more than 2,000 individuals each month. With a limited budget, the food pantry relies heavily upon community donations to continue meeting the growing need. In addition to food assistance, the pantry offers a clothing closet and essential items such as diapers, wipes, and hygiene products for families in crisis. Looking ahead, there are plans to expand the services offered in Arcadia by opening a soup kitchen to provide warm meals and additional support to the community.
The “Summertime and the Giving is Easy” campaign is a chance to brighten the future for those throughout the Diocese who come to Catholic Charities for help. Your gift, combined with others, will make a positive impact on our less fortunate brothers and sisters in Christ, and have a lasting, lifelong impact.
How to help
Online – Summertime Giving
By mail – Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., “Summertime and the Giving is Easy,” 1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285
By phone – 941-488-5581
Service locations
Arcadia, Bonita Springs, Bradenton, Clewiston, Fort Myers, Immokalee, Naples, North Port, Port Charlotte, Sarasota, and Venice.
Programs and Services
Affordable housing; after-school programs; anti-human trafficking; behavioral health counseling; case management services; clothing distribution, counseling services; disaster response and recovery; career development and empowerment; emergency shelter; farm worker housing; financial assistance; food pantries; supplement assistance program (SNAP); housing for vulnerable populations; homeless prevention; housing for homeless families; immigration services; infant/toddler supplies; rapid-rehousing; residential programs for mothers and children; senior housing; senior services; soup kitchen; summer youth program; transitional housing; veterans services; and youth mentoring program.
Making your donations count
$10,000 – helps maintain five transitional houses for homeless families on their journey to self-sufficiency;
$6,500 – provides a notebook computer for 10 children;
$3,000 – provides a senior with rent for four months;
$2,500 – helps 10 children to attend summer camp;
$1,600 – purchases a pallet of canned goods, providing 100 families with essentials;
$1,000 – keeps the lights on for four families;
$500 – provides groceries to a family of four for two weeks;
$250 – provides a new twin mattress and bedding for a child;
$120 – provides one counseling session for an individual in need, helping begin their journey towards healing and hope;
$75 – feeds a family of four for one week from a food pantry;
$50 – buys diapers for a mom in need.
