Catholic Campaign for Human Development Addresses the root causes of poverty

Nov. 16, 2006

Dear Friends in Christ,

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the United States Catholic bishops. Its mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education.

In spite of the prosperity that many Americans enjoy, poverty in America is on the rise. Nearly 37 million Americans live below the poverty line today. For 36 years the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) has stood with poor and low-income people, helping them create permanent solutions to poverty. One by one people are joining local community groups to break the cycle of poverty and Catholics across our country are part of that charge.

The annual collection to support this domestic anti-poverty program of the Church will take place on November 18-19, 2006 in the Diocese of Sioux City. We send 75 percent of the donations to the CCHD national office to support anti-poverty projects across the country. We keep 25 percent here in our diocese to fund local self-help initiatives to benefit our local communities.

CCHD is committed to helping people find permanent solutions to the problem of poverty, but they cannot do it alone. Please join in solidarity with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development to put an end to poverty in this, the wealthiest of nations. Please support the Catholic Campaign for Human Development collection in your parish this year.

May God bless you for your generosity.

Your brother in Christ,

Most Rev. R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City