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that Catholic Charities Agencies Face Increasing Requests for Help this Holiday Season |
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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. 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. 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. Catholic Charities agencies across the country are working hard to give hope this holiday season and helping millions of people deal with every day disasters such as hunger, homelessness, and financial need, Father Snyder said.
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