New Survey Shows that Catholic Charities Agencies Face Increasing Requests for Help this Holiday Season

from Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities USA Survey Finds Requests from Working Poor Continue to Rise

Alexandria, VA—A new survey of Catholic Charities agencies across the country shows requests for help are growing much faster than the money to provide assistance, putting continued strain on social services during the holiday season.

The Catholic Charities USA survey this month drew from 88 Catholic Charities agencies across the United States. Agencies reported by a 3-to-1 margin (76 percent), that local agencies believe that it will be harder to meet the needs of those they serve this holiday season because the need is greater.

“As we enter the holiday season, our survey of Catholic Charities agencies shows that poverty never takes a holiday,” said Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA. “Year after year, we continue to see that requests for help are growing much faster than the money to provide assistance, putting continued strain on social services.”

The survey also highlights the fact that the increasing numbers of working poor are going to Catholic Charities agencies in search of assistance, with four out of five (80 percent) Catholic Charities agencies reported more requests for help from this group.

“The need for services continues to far exceed the resources of Catholic Charities and our local non-profit partners,” said Ken F. Sawa, CEO and executive vice president for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of San Bernardino, CA. “As the cost of living increases, particularly housing expenses, poor and working poor families are increasingly unable to fully provide for their basic needs.”

Across the nation, Catholic Charities agencies continue to see an increase in low-income families and vulnerable populations seeking just the basic needs—financial assistance to pay utilities, housing, food, and prescriptions.

“Many families in our diocese are walking a tightrope, hoping to have enough just to make it through the day and keep from falling into poverty,” said Rachel Hrbolich, associate director of social services for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Youngstown, OH. “We have noticed the complexity of our emergency assistance cases. People are no longer simply delinquent with a bill or in need of food. They are delinquent with several bills, need food, clothing, and medication, and are in danger of foreclosure/eviction or are homeless.”

Below are some key findings in the 2006 Catholic Charities USA survey:

Increasing Need

* 75 percent are seeing more people seeking help in paying utility bills
* 72 percent of Catholic Charities agencies report an increase in the need for financial assistance
* 68 percent are finding an increase in requests for aid in making rent or mortgage payments
* 64 percent report an increase in the need for food
* 53 percent report an increase in the need for mental health services
* 45 percent report an increase in the need for prescription assistance
* 44 percent of the agencies cite an increase in the need for temporary housing

Who is Seeking Help: Working Poor and Other Vulnerable Populations

* 81 percent of agencies cite an increase in the working poor seeking help
* 68 percent of local agencies report an increase in the number of families coming to them for help
* 56 percent are seeing more seniors
* 55 percent report an increase in immigrants needing assistance
* 48 percent are seeing an increase in the number of homeless seeking help

Agency Holiday Season Needs

* 99 percent of local Catholic Charities agencies say their greatest need during the 2006 holiday season will be financial contributions
* 30 percent said food donations were needed
* 25 percent needed more volunteers
* 21 percent needed more toys

Funding

* Donations from individuals are mixed, with 37 percent of the agencies reporting increases from individuals and another 21 percent reporting a decline
* 25 percent of the local agencies reported a decrease in government funding in 2006, which is expected to have the biggest impact
* In addition, foundation and corporate support remained generally flat, with about 20 percent of agencies reporting increases, roughly half reporting no change and 10 percent showing declines

“Catholic Charities agencies across the country are working hard to give hope this holiday season and helping millions of people deal with every day disasters such as hunger, homelessness, and financial need,” Father Snyder said. “But it’s a big challenge because the growing needs of the people we serve are often not being matched by a similar increase in donations and other funding sources.”