Catholic Charities holds Spring Appeal

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
May 11, 2006

The Spring Appeal for Catholic Charities is underway for 2006.

According to Steve Elbert, director of development for the Diocese of Sioux City, for the past few years Catholic Charities has conducted the Spring Appeal. He added that they are in the midst of the appeal right now.

"The reason we have done this is that we have a need that goes on year-round," said Elbert. "We have various events and drives that we do over the span of the year. In the spring of the year, it seems as if there were challenges as far as funds being available to help us keep our services going."

Elbert noted that there are "always people in need. It is our mission to serve those people. So, we are asking the people of our diocese, if they can at this time, to support us financially. Even more importantly, we ask that they support us with their prayers for both our clients and our staff."

"What we have seen in our society in general is that there has been a real belief that a lot of the social programs that have been provided by the government have been far too costly," said Jerry Eaton, executive director of Catholic Charities. "So, there have been major cutbacks in the way the government has financed the provision of social services. We used to be able to have a contract with the government and do the same work we do and be paid by the government."

Eaton continued that now the amount of money received from the government to do the same kind of work is "perhaps halved from what it used to be."

"That doesn't mean the work load has gone down," said Eaton. "In fact, when the government does less, there is more required of us. Can we reawaken the conscience of the community, so that those much needed services to people who are really in need are provided?"

Catholic Charities primarily provides counseling, but there are many other needs that are met through the services, noted Elbert. These include emergency needs, adoption services, interventions as well as other areas.

"This is a way that people or families can help get a child or family back on their feet this spring," said Elbert. "We ask them to pray for children, families and individuals that we serve. Pray for our counselors and employees who care for those in need. Consider a gift in different ranges to help underwrite programs and assistance we provide to address client needs."

Donations to the appeal are used in many ways. A $250 gift provides 12 sessions of counseling for a parent to receive anger management and conflict resolution training. A $100 contribution will provide 10 one-hour counseling sessions for troubled child. A donation of $50 will allow a needy family of four to receive a grocery card that would provide them food for a week. A $25 contribution would help purchase a gas card in order for a single mom to provide transportation for her child's counseling and school activities.

"As people know through articles about Catholic Charities, the number of people in need continues to be tremendous," said Elbert. "Given the fact that we continue to have state funding declines, it is even more important that we ask people to help us help others."

If people would like to contribute to the drive, they can send their contribution to Catholic Charities, PO Box 3379, 1821 Jackson St., Sioux City, IA 51102. For questions or to request more information, contact Elbert at stevee@scdiocese.org or (712) 233-7513.

"We appreciate, so much, all the help that we receive throughout the year and ask for your support at this time," concluded Elbert.