The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Subcommittee on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development is encouraging the faithful to support the “urgent work” of the U.S. Church’s domestic anti-poverty program by giving to the upcoming CCHD national collection.
“CCHD helps countless people in our nation to earn a living, care for their families, contribute to their communities and feel safe in their homes,” Bishop Timothy C. Senior of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, said in a statement.
The CCHD collection will be taken at Masses the weekend of Nov. 18-19. Last year, the Diocese of Camden collected $74,335, with $55,751 going to the national collection and $18,583 remaining in the Diocese.
CCHD provides grants for community and economic development projects, technical assistance and other strategic national projects. The CCHD is primarily funded by the annual collection. In its 2021-2022 grant cycle, CCHD distributed more than $15.4 million among 224 projects.
“Every organization that receives CCHD funding must pledge to pursue only nonpartisan projects in harmony with the Catholic understanding of human life and dignity,” Bishop Senior said. “All projects are approved by the local bishop, and 25% of the money given by parishioners in their local collection remains in the diocese to help lift their neighbors from poverty.”
Bishop Senior highlighted some projects that have received CCHD grants.
One is Centro Comunitario de Los Trabajadores in New Bedford, Massachusetts, an interfaith organization inspired by Catholic social teaching, which “helps immigrant workers advocate for their rights and safety in the region’s seafood-packing plants, where they often experience wage theft, sexual harassment, and dangerous working conditions,” Bishop Senior said.
In New Orleans, CCHD is funding an effort to bring solar power to neighborhoods most affected by long-term power outages especially during hurricane season. This especially affects the use of life-saving medical devices.
CCHD “depends on the faithful, not on foundations” and “helps countless people in our nation to earn a living, care for their families, contribute to their communities and feel safe in their homes,” Bishop Senior said.