Catholic Charities keeps doors open to help

 BY CHRISTINA GALEONE  | CFP CORRESPONDENT 
 
The fear wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic had caused many doors to close. But the closings generated another kind of fear – that of isolation in a time of need. Many people wondered where they could turn for help. 
“Catholic Charities brings the light of Christ during these dark times by simply being here,” said Maydee Morales, director of emergency services for Catholic Charities Worcester County. “Our doors open to those we serve and care for day in and day out. There have been many who have come to our door, and faces have lit up when they hear the answer ‘Yes, we are here, and we are open to serve you.’”
In prosperous times and distressful ones, the nonprofit human services agency has remained committed to its mission of strengthening families and serving individuals in need. Despite a drastic increase in the need for its aid and emergency services, Catholic Charities has continued to overcome its challenges. But, perhaps more than ever, the nonprofit – which receives funds from the Partners in Charity appeal – needs the continued support of the community it serves. 
Through what it refers to on its website (www.ccworc.org) as a “network of care throughout Worcester County,” the nonprofit provides food, shelter, clothing, diapers, homecare, addiction recovery, training, employment assistance for people 55 and older, and more. Although it has been able to continue to offer food, diapers and personal care items through its Worcester, Southbridge, Milford and Leominster offices, it has had to temporarily close its administrative office. While the administrative staff has been working remotely to assist people, the work has been challenging.  
Ms. Morales misses the ability to meet with clients. 
“The most difficult for me has been not being able to sit down with families and provide services one-on-one,” she said. “To reassure them that things will be OK, to teach and educate families and individuals about their situations. There is so much need and confusion about what resources are available for families and individuals, from eligibility for SNAP benefits, to applying for unemployment benefits.” 
The pandemic has also caused an increased need for the agency’s emergency services. In addition to a greater number of families requesting food from its food pantries (with 87 families using the pantries on a single day recently, up from 40-60), Catholic Charities has received more requests for help paying rent and utility bills.  
The Milford office is especially in need of donations to help provide financial assistance to its clients. 
“So many of our clients were already barely making it, and now with the loss of any income as a result of COVID-19 … they are having to make choices between paying their rent, utility bills, and trying to find ways to keep their families fed and as healthy as possible,” said Karen Levy, area administrator for Catholic Charities Greater Milford. “We have already been seeing the homeless population growing in Milford over the last year, and I hate to see families losing their homes and foregoing basics like hot water at a time that is already challenging for the most fortunate of us.”
Ms. Morales has the same concerns for Worcester families. 
“Most families live paycheck-to-paycheck; a whole household losing income as a result of the pandemic has made it impossible for people to keep up with their rents and utility payments,” she explained. “We are grateful for the moratoriums on these, but … once the stay-at-home order is lifted, landlords will be able to demand the three or four months that families are behind at one time. Once people are able to return to work, it will take some time to be able to pay their current month and what is owed.”
Ms. Morales has also witnessed a tremendous amount of gratitude. She said that many parents who have lost jobs and are waiting for unemployment benefits have told her how much they needed the food and how thankful they are. She also recalled a visit from a woman who was caring for her young grandchildren while the woman’s daughter was sick. 
“After we gave her the food, we asked her if she needed diapers,” Ms. Morales said. “And as we handed them to her, her eyes watered, and she said, ‘You do not know how much this means to me. Thank you. I was just at the store, and I could not find one bag of diapers for them. Thank you, and God bless you.’”
Because of the unusually high demand, it is difficult to maintain an adequate supply of diapers. In addition to donating to Partners in Charity, people who would like to help could donate new diapers and personal care items to the Worcester office.  
The nonprofit’s Southbridge office could also benefit greatly from donations of diapers, as well as baby wipes, toiletries, detergent and Big Bunny Market gift cards. 
“We want our folks to know that we are here to support them in any way we can,” said Marie Kudron, area administrator for Catholic Charities South Worcester County in Southbridge. “Being able to reach out to a live person who then can assist or direct them, hopefully brings them comfort. Major changes in our clients’ lives, which have incurred added expenses, are bringing in many in need of diapers and household products.”
Ms. Morales wants members of the diocese to know that Catholic Charities can also help them with information, referrals and food. She is thankful for the funding that the nonprofit receives from Partners in Charity: $350,000 last year.  She said, “The funds provided to Catholic Charites will be utilized to assist families who will be in great need as a result of the pandemic.”