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Support Hurricane Relief Efforts through Catholic Charities USA

By August 30, 2017August 19th, 2021Fundraising & Support
by Kaitlin Jackson

Wed, Aug 30th 2017 03:30 pm
Catholic Charities of Buffalo stands with the people of Texas and Louisiana who are experiencing catastrophic loss and displacement in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.  One of the best ways to help our brothers and sisters in the southwest is through donations that can be put to use immediately or for long-term recovery efforts.
Two opportunities include giving to Catholic Charities USA, and through an upcoming special collection in Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Buffalo.
Funds raised go to Catholic Charities agencies that are helping families and individuals with shelter, food, and immediate and long-term recovery needs. CCUSA is the official domestic relief agency of the Catholic Church.
There are several ways to give to Catholic Charities USA: Text CCUSADISASTER to 71777 or visit catholiccharitiesusa.org, or call 1-800-919-9338, or mail a check to PO Box 17066 Baltimore, MD
21297-1066 and put “Hurricane Harvey” in the memo line of the check.
Sister Donna Markham, president of Catholic Charities USA, explained how the organization is responding already:
  • Catholic Charities agencies in south Texas have been preparing since last Friday for Hurricane Harvey’s arrival. San Antonio has been coordinating with Catholic Charities Corpus Christi to identify and deliver (when possible) commodities requested by the agency there.Catholic Charities in San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, Dallas and Oklahoma City are also creating additional shelter options for displaced individuals and families. Catholic Charities agencies in affected areas are coordinating with local emergency and VOAD agencies to assess impact and identify needs.
  • Catholic Charities USA is coordinating the mobilization of staff of its member agencies around the country who are prepared to travel to south Texas and Louisiana to supplement the services of the affected agencies.As soon as it is possible to travel into the flood zone these volunteer Catholic Charities employees will deploy to the affected areas as needed.
  • The bishops of the United States have called for special collections to aid in Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.These donations are funneled through the National Office of Catholic Charities USA to be distributed as long- term disaster recovery grants to agencies providing disaster recovery services.
Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, in response to a letter from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, this week wrote to pastors in the Buffalo diocese asking them to help support the relief efforts financially through conducting a special collection in their parishes during a weekend in September. The funds will support immediate and long-term needs in the region through Catholic Charities.
Bishop Malone added, “We offer our condolences and prayers, as the Catholic Church of Western New York, to our brothers and sisters in the Gulf Coast region who are suffering as a result of this natural disaster. May we all be united in prayer as we pray for the victims and survivors and all those who are working so hard to assist them.”
Dennis Walczyk, Catholic Charities of Buffalo chief executive officer, said, “We are saddened by the overwhelming challenges facing the people of south Texas and Louisiana. We, too, offer our prayers and support in any way we can in the coming weeks and months. Given our reputation as a compassionate and giving community, we know that Western New Yorkers already are responding and we want them to know that Catholic Charities is a trusted vehicle to ensure it will help those most in need.”