Local Catholic Church Provides Almost $2.4 Million in Critical Support to Impacted Communities During Last 5 Months of COVID-19 Response  

Parishes and Catholic Charities in Diocese of Arlington Help More Than 101,000 Individuals in Need During Pandemic: Provide $1 Million in Rental and Utility Assistance, $1.1 Million in Food Assistance and Almost $200,000 in Free or Discounted Medical Services 

ARLINGTON, Va. - The local Catholic Church in the Diocese of Arlington, through its parishes and Catholic Charities-the social services arm of the Diocese, provided almost $2.4 million ($2,385,858) in emergency rental and utility assistance, food and medical services to more than 101,000 individuals during the last five months. The local Catholic Church and its entities have seen a significant increase in the number of families and individuals requesting assistance as pandemic continues to take an economic toll locally.

“As a Church, we are called to accompany our brothers and sisters on their earthly journey, to bear one another's burdens, and to help illuminate hope for the future. We do this not on our own but through Christ's love that overflows in us by his grace,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Diocese of Arlington. “Our parishes, food pantries and ministries are reminders that we are called to serve our neighbors and that help is never far away. When we humbly offer our time, talent and treasure, we are sharing and experiencing Christ's love in a tangible way.”

Food and emergency rental assistance are two significant ways the Catholic Church, through its parishes and Catholic Charities, has provided direct assistance to those in need during the pandemic.

All parishes provide some level of assistance to people in need. About half of the Diocese's 70 parishes reported they have collectively provided a total of $784,151 in emergency rental and utility assistance, $323,787 in food assistance and $6,090 in medical assistance, serving some 91,455 individuals.

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, a largely young adult parish in Clarendon, Va., provided $115,636 in food and emergency rent and utility assistance, up more than $99,000 from the same time last year. From March to July, Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Sterling, Va., provided $144,755 in emergency rent and utility assistance alone, and Holy Family Catholic Church in Woodbridge, Va., offered some $106,000 in food assistance.

During that same timeframe, Catholic Charities provided $281,325 in emergency rental and utility assistance, $797,341 in food assistance and $193,164 in medical assistance, serving some 9,575 individuals. Catholic Charities' services and impact also expand well beyond this, including providing mental health counseling and assistance for immigrants and refugees.

Catholic Charities operates 21 programs throughout the 21 counties and seven cities of the Diocese. In March, the organization quickly modified services for the safety of clients, volunteers and employees in order to continue supporting individuals and families during the response to COVID-19. To offer material or financial support to Catholic Charities, visit ccda.net/give-help/serve-those-in-need/material-and-financial-assistance/.

Anyone interested in donating food or in need of assistance should go to the website of their local Catholic parish or visit Catholic Charities' website at ccda.net. 

For more information, contact Amber Roseboom, Director of Media Relations, Catholic Diocese of Arlington, at 571-215-8731 or Amber.Roseboom@arlingtondiocese.org.

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The Catholic Diocese of Arlington was established on August 13, 1974, and is home to 71 parishes and more than 460,000 Catholics. There are currently 276 priests serving in the Diocese and 45 seminarians discerning a priestly vocation. The Diocese has 37 parish (K-8) schools, four diocesan high schools, four independent Catholic schools and five free-standing (not connected with a parish school) pre-schools, serving more than 17,000 students. 

The Diocese includes the seven cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Winchester and the 21 counties of Arlington, Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, King George, Lancaster, Loudoun, Madison, Northumberland, Orange, Page, Prince William, Rappahannock, Richmond, Shenandoah, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren and Westmoreland.