Catholic Charities Fund hopes to raise $100,000
By RENEE WEBB, Globe associate editor
See below for Father Robert Keefe Annual Giving Society
Posted April 25, 2002

At a time when the services of Catholic Charities are needed more than ever, there is greater necessity for the organization to raise funds to support their programs.

Catholic Charities Annual Fund hopes to raise $100,000 this year. This is an annual fund raising program designed to help the agency with its yearly operating budget in order to continue to offer services.

Last year alone the agency provided services to more than 7,000 individuals. Headquartered in Sioux City, Catholic Charities has offices in Fort Dodge, Algona, Carroll and Storm Lake. The agency is considering future expansion within the Diocese of Sioux City.

"We are hoping that those who supported the annual fund will be generous again this year," said Steve Elbert, development director for the agency. "We want to thank them for their past support and invite others to consider investing in Catholic Charities."

According to Jerry Eaton, executive director of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Sioux City, this year there have been larger than normal budget cuts at the state and federal level for the Department of Human Services. This means less government contracts for Catholic Charities. In addition, United Way didn't reach its goal, so again less money goes to Catholic Charities.

"We have a greater pressure to come up with funds on our own," he noted. "We are more dependent on donations."

Catholic Charities as a whole has never relied excessively on government resources. On a yearly basis only about 20 percent of its caseload has come from the Department of Human Services.

Audra Cole, clinical director at Catholic Charities and staff member for 40-plus years, said it is the agency's mission to serve those in need - both spiritually and financially.

"We want to serve the underinsured and the uninsured," she said.

While a number of clients can use insurance and EAP (Employment Assistance Programs) to help cover counseling costs, many don't have access to these benefits.

Eaton pointed out that the middle class people often suffer the most, as they don't quality for government assistance programs.

With Catholic Charities' level of professional help, it costs the agency about $110 per hour to provide therapy. To ensure its services are within reach, the agency offers a sliding fee scale ranging from $7 to $110.

"In order to offer services on a sliding fee scale, where the cost to our clients is much less than the cost of the service, we have to find ways to make up the funds," said Eaton. The $100,000 annual appeal is one way to do so.

This year Catholic Charities started the Father Robert Keefe Annual Giving Society for persons who contribute $1,000 or more.

Services are available to everyone regardless of religious affiliation and the ability to pay.

Catholic Charities provides individual, couple and family counseling from a spiritually grounded staff. It counsels on a variety of issues such as child sexual abuse, family violence, substance abuse, marital difficulties, unemployment, parent/child communication and depression. It also offers adoption and foster care services.

Elbert pointed out the Centennial Campaign for Excellence is currently raising money for endowments that will help secure the future of programs, but in the meantime there are yearly operating expenses that rely on the annual fund.

Donations to the agency's annual appeal can be sent to: Catholic Charities, 1601 Military Rd., Sioux City, IA 51103.