Catholic Charities 2017 Annual Appeal Follow Up Offers $100,000 Matching Challenge Grant to Support

Cleveland, Ohio – May 15, 2017 –Faithful donors from the Diocese of Cleveland will come together this weekend to support Northeast Ohio’s most vulnerable people, those who are hungry and homeless, as part of the 2017 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal. An anonymous donor has provided a generous Challenge Grant, which will match all new, increased or additional gifts, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000. Donations can be made through envelopes provided at all area Catholic churches this weekend or through the online giving portal at www.CatholicCommunity.org/Challenge.

Supporters will not only have the opportunity to double their impact, but will also be able to direct their donation to a specific food pantry or shelter in their region. The Catholic Charities sites supported by this initiative include Bishop Cosgrove Center in downtown Cleveland, St. Elizabeth Center (formerly St. Joseph Shelter and 8thStreet Family Center) in Lorain, Blessed Trinity Food Pantry in the North Hill area of Akron, and the Lake and Geauga County Food Pantries.

The total goal for the 2017 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal, which kicked off in Feburary, is $12 million to support the health and human services delivered in the eight counties of the Diocese for people who are elderly and infirmed, individuals who are hungry and homeless, children and families at risk, and children and adults with disabilities. Last year’s Catholic Charities Annual Appeal exceeded its goal of $11.5 million and raised over $13 million, the most in recent history.

Catholic Charities assists nearly 400,000 people in need annually throughout the eight-county Catholic Diocese of Cleveland with more than 150 program and services available at 60 sites. Donations can be made securely online at www.CatholicCommunity.org/Challenge or by calling 216-696-6525 ext. 1910.