Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington Provided $4.8 Million in Critical Support to Those in Need During Year of COVID-19 Response

Support Amounts to 2 Million Pounds of Food Worth $1.1 Million to 27,456 Individuals and $1.4 Million in Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance to 3,800 Individuals

Need for Food and Emergency Assistance Continues 

ARLINGTON, Va. - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, the social services arm of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, provided $4.8 million dollars in food and emergency rental and utility assistance to more than 31,000 individuals during the last year of COVID response. The services were provided through nearly 90,000 client visits as a result of the generosity of the organization's donors and volunteers. These figures represent a marked increase from pre-COVID numbers, with 115% more clients needing food assistance and 130% more clients needing emergency rental and utility assistance over the past year. 

Photos of individuals receiving food from Catholic Charities volunteers during the pandemic are here. 

“The need for assistance, be it food or financial support, during the past year was unmatched in recent history. The impacts of the pandemic were felt deep within our communities, by family, friends and neighbors,” said Stephen Carattini, President and CEO, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington. “We have not seen the need subside as the long-term impacts of the pandemic continue to sharpen. Our commitment continues to be to meet this need wherever it exists. Catholic Charities' food pantries and ministries are reminders that we are called to serve our neighbors and that help is never far away.” 

Food and emergency assistance are just two ways Catholic Charities continues to provide direct assistance to those in need. Catholic Charities operates 21 programs throughout the 21 counties and seven cities of the Diocese. In March of 2020, the organization quickly modified services for the safety of clients, volunteers and employees in order to continue supporting individuals and families during the response to COVID-19. To offer material or financial support to Catholic Charities, visit here. Additionally, all 70 parishes in the Diocese provide some level of assistance to people in need.

Individuals interested in donating food or in need of assistance should go to the website of their local Catholic parish or visit Catholic Charities' website at ccda.net. 

  For more information, contact Amber Roseboom, Director of Media Relations, Catholic Diocese of Arlington, at 571-215-8731 or Amber.Roseboom@arlingtondiocese.org.

# # #

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington serves the poor and vulnerable who live within the 21 counties and seven cities of the Diocese of Arlington, which is led by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. Catholic Charities provides food for the hungry, a free medical clinic for adults including prenatal care, adoption services, transformational housing for the homeless, mental health counseling, emergency financial assistance, prison ministry, workforce development, and immigration and refugee services. Catholic Charities serves all, regardless of faith. www.ccda.net.