The Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania is pleased to announce that seven (7) grants totaling $53,800 were awarded during its Catholic Social Ministry grant cycle. Grants are awarded in this area to ministries and projects that embrace and align with Catholic social teaching and are answering the Gospel call to respond to needs within the community.
Recognizing an ongoing need to assist people with basic needs, Jessica Struthers, CEO of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Center in Oil City, applied for and received a grant of $10,000. These funds will go toward assisting clients with their utility costs, helping to provide stability in the home and maintaining a basic standard of living.
Three of the grants awarded were to support the work of the Social Justice and Life Office of the Diocese of Erie specifically on respect life issues. Patrice Swick, director of the office, detailed three projects that will provide opportunities for individuals to be educated on life issues, bring together those already active to build further community, and to promote advocacy efforts of the Social Justice and Life Office. These three grants totaled $11,300.
Christ’s call to feed the hungry is heard and responded to by Saint Martin Center in Erie. They were awarded a $10,000 grant which will help to fund Thanksgiving food baskets. These baskets will be distributed to Saint Martin Center families. Applicant Jessica Krugger described the need. “We know the need for food is great. Our food pantry distributions have tripled since 2021. Holidays present a challenge for struggling families as they cannot afford extra items.” With these baskets, struggling families will know their community neighbors care for them.
A grant was awarded to Catholic Charities Counseling and Adoption Services whose work impacts many areas of northwest Pennsylvania. Grant funds will be used to support both client emergency needs and vital outpatient counseling services.
The mission of Prince of Peace Center in Farrell is to strengthen families, build community, and reduce poverty throughout Mercer County. The grant funds received will support their program, Awesome Classes, which has the goal of not only providing for the immediate needs of families in crisis but to also offer other supportive services which will positively impact the health and wellness of these families.
The Catholic Foundation invites donors to leave lasting legacies of faith for the future of the Church through endowments. Grant funds available from the Robert M. Gallivan Charitable Endowment enhanced the grants awarded to both Saint Martin Center and Prince of Peace Center. The Catholic Foundation is grateful to this donor for his commitment to supporting the good works happening in our Catholic community through these impactful agencies today and in the future.
Click the following link to read the complete list of 2022 Catholic Social Ministry grantees.
- 2022 Catholic Social Ministry Grant Awards (224.184 KB)
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These Catholic Foundation competitive grants are made possible through our Catholic Social Ministry Endowment and the Robert M. Gallivan Charitable Endowment. Donations in any amount designated for these endowments increase our capacity to award grants for impactful Catholic social ministry initiatives and answer the Gospel call to respond to needs throughout northwest Pennsylvania today and for future generations.
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