New Survey Shows that Catholic Charities Agencies Face Increasing Requests for Help this Holiday Season

(November 20, 2006) — A new survey of Catholic Charities agencies across the country shows requests for help are growing much faster than the money to provide assistance, putting continued strain on social services during the holiday season.

The Catholic Charities USA survey this month drew from 88 Catholic Charities agencies across the United States. Agencies reported by a 3-to-1 margin (76 percent), that local agencies believe that it will be harder to meet the needs of those they serve this holiday season because the need is greater.

“As we enter the holiday season, our survey of Catholic Charities agencies shows that poverty never takes a holiday,” said Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA. “Year after year, we continue to see that requests for help are growing much faster than the money to provide assistance, putting continued strain on social services.”

The survey also highlights the fact that the increasing numbers of working poor are going to Catholic Charities agencies in search of assistance, with four out of five (80 percent) Catholic Charities agencies reported more requests for help from this group.

“The need for services continues to far exceed the resources of Catholic Charities and our local non-profit partners,” said Ken F. Sawa, CEO and executive vice president for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of San Bernardino, CA. “As the cost of living increases, particularly housing expenses, poor and working poor families are increasingly unable to fully provide for their basic needs.”

Across the nation, Catholic Charities agencies continue to see an increase in low-income families and vulnerable populations seeking just the basic needs—financial assistance to pay utilities, housing, food, and prescriptions.

“Many families in our diocese are walking a tightrope, hoping to have enough just to make it through the day and keep from falling into poverty,” said Rachel Hrbolich, associate director of social services for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Youngstown, OH. “We have noticed the complexity of our emergency assistance cases. People are no longer simply delinquent with a bill or in need of food. They are delinquent with several bills, need food, clothing, and medication, and are in danger of foreclosure/eviction or are homeless.”

To learn more about local needs and how you can help, contact Regina Estep at 937-223-7217, ext. 1142.