Our support of Catholic Charities through the ADA helps us to practice our faith

February 15, 2022

The mission of Catholic Charities to empower individuals and strengthen families requires many partnerships. 

Catholic Charities relies on many groups, entities, and individuals, from grant funding to a donated kitchen table to make programs and services possible. A key group of donors, volunteers, and supporters are the parishes and parishioners within the Diocese of Des Moines.

“We are truly grateful for the support parishes continue to bestow on us,” said Catholic Charities Executive Director Barbara Decker. “From donating to the disaster fund to driving a refugee family to an appointment, we could not complete our mission without their help.”

There are so many beautiful examples of support. Here are just a few.

With the influx of Afghan refugees to Iowa over the last five months, Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement has been assigned 277 individuals so far for resettlement. That is more than a typical 12 months of resettlement! Thanks to parishes like St. Pius X collecting a regular supply of household goods and supplies for our clients, the team has been able to keep up with the intense pace. Tom and Amy Donnelly use the St. Augustin van to help transport families to appointments.

On a visit to the Catholic Charities Food Pantry, you will regularly find parishioners from around the metro stocking shelves, creating food boxes, and distributing food at the walk-up window. Some are one-time volunteers, and some have committed to regular volunteer hours throughout the year. Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Bread Ministry, St. Catherine of Siena’s Drake student group, and St. John the Apostle’s monthly infant formula donation are just a few great examples of parish support.

Each spring, Catholic Charities Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Program in Council Bluffs gets their garden replanted by volunteers and funding from Corpus Christi parish and Knights of Columbus. 

The program has an annual drive-through baby shower for first-time and low-income mothers each October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Catholic Charities was referred to Mary’s Helping Hands at Sacred Heart Parish in West Des Moines through another organization. On short notice, the group generously provided 50 sets of baby care items for the event in 2021. There are plans for the partnership to grow in the coming year.

At Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter, meals are provided to guests every day throughout the year. St. Theresa, St. Mary of Nazareth, St. Mary - Holy Cross in Elkhart, St. Elizabeth Seton in Carlisle, and St. Francis of Assisi, are just a few of the parishes who contribute meals regularly to the shelter. Some of those contributing parishes are through internal groups like Knights of Columbus.

Clearly, parish partnerships, contributions, and volunteers are vital to the success of Catholic Charities. If you or your parish is interested in learning more, go to catholiccharitiesdm.org and find out how to get involved.