With a hint of Summer’s intense heat already piercing North Carolina, the Catholic Charities (DOR) Cape Fear Regional team is preparing to protect our neighbors, who work or live outside in the extremely hot temperatures of the South. In 2023, Regional Director Emilie Hart began focusing on heat-related dangers facing people who work outside after learning of a fatal incident involving farm workers. “Last year we heard that two farmworkers died of dehydration. We responded by setting up at the migrant Head Start with waters, liquid IVs, and hydrating produce… Read More
The Durham Community Food Pantry (DCFP), a program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh, plays a vital role in the community, distributing over 1.8 million pounds of food annually to neighbors in need. Through a Traditional Food Pantry model in Durham County and a Mobile Food Pantry model in Orange County, the DCFP serves as a lifeline for many struggling families. Recently, the DCFP became a TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) distribution site. This federal program, designed to supplement the diets of individuals meeting income standards in… Read More
With a family history of service intertwined with a legacy of giving, Kitti Hardison is deeply rooted in helping her neighbors. From her grandmother to her mother, the spirit of service runs through generations. It’s a culture that led her to the helm of the Catholic Charities New Bern Regional Office as its new program director. “There’s always been a tie to Catholic Charities as well as to the other non-profits in New Bern. It’s just been a natural fit,” said Hardison. In a conversation with Catholic Charities Sr. Communications… Read More
Volunteers are the heart and soul of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh, and we proudly highlight the time, talent, and treasure they generously share with our communities. During National Volunteer Appreciation Week and every week, we celebrate our volunteers with gratitude and reflect on the countless ways they touch the lives of our neighbors in need. Our volunteers truly live out the mission of Catholic Charities… “Providing help to our brothers and sisters in need by alleviating the effects of poverty and creating hope by developing solutions to… Read More
The sunny Raleigh skies shined bright for the 12th Annual Pig Pickin’ hosted by Catholic Parish Outreach Food Pantry on Saturday, April 6th. The event saw 350 people gather for good BBQ and live bluegrass music. The event was a resounding success, raising over $30,000 for the pantry. These funds will play a vital role in ensuring that families across Wake and Johnston counties have access to essential food resources. Program Director Kelly Rappl expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support: “Last year, over 73,000 people received food assistance from Catholic… Read More
On Wednesday, April 3, 2024, Centro para Familias Hispanas received accolades from Wake County Child Welfare during the 9th Annual Pastries and Prevention Tea. This event served as a platform to celebrate the commendable efforts of nonprofits across Wake County dedicated to fostering nurturing home environments where children can flourish, shielded from abuse. Gathering nonprofits under one roof, the event spotlighted organizations engaged in “upstream” work, addressing protective factors pivotal in averting child abuse. Centro para Familias Hispanas stood out prominently, receiving the award for Parental Resilience, in recognition of… Read More
Catholic Charities is reliant on amazing, dedicated, and hardworking volunteers to pursue our mission of helping our neighbors in need. In recent years, the AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) and NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) programs have been key to expanding services and embarking on even bigger projects. This AmeriCorps week, we want to recognize the individuals who have stepped up to serve their community. In our Administrative office, AmeriCorps VISTAs like Audrey Reed have increased the storytelling capacity and social media presence of Catholic Charities. Our… Read More
A night of success in Greenville as the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh Tar River Regional Office team hosted their first fundraising event. The fundraiser, “Caring for Our Community: A Night Celebrating Service to Our Neighbors,” was held at St. Peter Catholic Church in Greenville on Saturday, March 2. The evening highlighted the generosity and commitment of Catholic Charities friends, volunteers, and donors. Chair of the Tar River Deanery Resource Committee and volunteer, Mark Dellasega, welcomed guests to the event, setting the stage for an evening of inspiration… Read More
From the rotted wood to the mold and a leaking roof, Debbie McClain’s home shows the force of nature and the facts of poverty. She said water damage to the wood caused the flooring to collapse, sending her through the floor and to the hospital. McClain said, “I would pray about it, and pray about it, like Lord I need some help, I don’t know what to do. I tried to ask for help from different people. And it was no kind of help. It’s like I was reaching out… Read More
This year, Catholic Schools Week is celebrated January 28 through February 3, 2024. During this time, Catholic Charities expresses our appreciation for the acts of kindness shown by students throughout the year to our neighbors in need. We are grateful for the many students who turn to Catholic Charities as a place of service and an opportunity to develop their community involvement skills and learn through helping others. We thank you students, families, and schools for your contributions of stacks of diapers raised through diaper drives, bags of food thoughtfully… Read More
