Catholic Charities launches yearly drive

For nearly a century, Catholic Charities Spokane has been a refuge for those in need.

Through its programs, the Inland Northwest’s largest nonprofit served nearly 50,000 people last year – homeless men found shelter at the House of Charity; seniors needing a hand got help from Volunteer Chore Services; destitute women and children discovered a new life at St. Margaret’s Shelter.

To continue helping the poor and others in need throughout Eastern Washington, Catholic Charities hopes to raise $725,000 through its 65th annual Christmas Collection.

“Every year, during the month of December, Catholic Charities embarks on the biggest act of faith I’ve ever been involved with,” said Executive Director Rob McCann, describing the challenge of raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in just one month. “If we don’t raise the money, we have to cut programs instantly on Jan. 1.”

Four days before Christmas last year, the charity was $300,000 short of its $675,000 goal. Yet by the end of the year, the money suddenly appeared – more than 4,300 donors contributed a record-breaking total of $726,204.

At first, McCann and others were worried that people would stop contributing because of confusion surrounding the Diocese of Spokane’s bankruptcy filing.

Separately incorporated from the Diocese of Spokane, Catholic Charities receives no funding from the Annual Catholic Appeal, McCann emphasized. All the funds donated to the Christmas Collection will help the needy and will not be used to pay attorneys or other costs of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

“With the diocese struggling with the bankruptcy, we were looking at the Christmas Collection with a whole new lens,” McCann said. “It worried us last year, and it worries us this year. We continue to hope and pray that there will be a settlement and a plan of reorganization so we can all get back to the business of helping the poor.”

Generally, Catholic Charities agencies in dioceses plagued by a sex abuse scandal have noticed an increase in donations. Dubbed “the Boston effect” after Catholic Charities in Boston received millions of dollars in donations soon after the crisis there, the trend shows how some Catholics have chosen to donate their money to Catholic Charities instead of their diocese.

McCann said he doesn’t believe that’s the case in Spokane.

Last year’s record-breaking total was due in part to an increase in non-Catholic donations, he said. About 19 percent – roughly $137,000 – came from people who didn’t belong to a parish or identify themselves as Catholic.

“We serve on the basis of need, not creed,” said McCann. Eighty-five percent of the people served by Catholic Charities each year are low-income and are non-Catholics.

With the theme, “Together Reflecting Hope,” Catholic Charities launched its Christmas Collection this week at St. Margaret’s, one of its 15 programs that provide food, shelter and clothing in 50 locations.

Money from the campaign accounts for about 15 percent of Catholic Charities’ annual budget of $5.1 million.