Catholic Charities USA Key Messages for 2006 Holiday Outreach

• As we enter the holiday season, our survey of Catholic Charities agencies across the country shows that poverty never takes a holiday. Agencies continue to see an increase in the number of working poor families and other vulnerable populations seeking just the basic needs—financial assistance to pay utilities, housing, and food.
• The working poor are increasingly seeking help from Catholic Charities agencies, with four out of five agencies (81 percent) reported more requests for help from this group. Agencies also found other large increases were found in requests from families (68 percent); seniors (56 percent), immigrants (55 percent) and homeless (48 percent).
• Our agencies have found that the need for assistance is growing rapidly compared with last year. A large majority of our agencies are reporting increases in requests for help with utilities (74 percent of agencies); financial help (72 percent); housing assistance (68 percent) and food (64 percent.)
• By a 3-to-1 margin (76 percent), local agencies believe that it will be harder to meet the needs of those they serve this holiday season because the need is greater.
• Catholic Charities agencies are working hard to give hope this holiday season, 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.
• The unprecedented national response to help victims of Hurricane Katrina shows the generosity of the American people. However, it’s important to remember that Catholic Charities agencies across the country are helping millions of people deal with everyday disasters such as hunger, homelessness, and financial need.
• The continued increase in requests for assistance by working families shows that poverty is an ongoing disaster that threatens the health and well-being of our nation. The fact is that nearly two of three families with incomes below the poverty line include at least one worker.
• Our agencies are being asked to help more and more poor people, but faith-based groups simply do not have the resources to take on responsibilities that used to be undertaken by government. That’s why Catholic Charities is launching a campaign to show why government policies and laws must be changed and improved to help the poor climb out of poverty.