Feeding People, Body and Soul

By Rochelle Schlortt

(Photo: Andy Barton, CEO of Catholic Charities)

COLORADO SPRINGS. In the past year, Catholic Charities agencies across the nation served more than 30 million meals to vulnerable people at risk of hunger — at food pantries and congregate dining settings, in summer and afterschool programs for children, and to seniors in affordable housing communities. Food and nutrition programs are often the gateway for clients to be assessed for and receive other necessary services from a Catholic Charities agency. 

Locally, Catholic Charities Marian House Kitchen serves a hot, nutritious meal every day of the year to anyone who comes to our door.  We are there for our guests, meeting their nutrition needs, and doing so in a way that honors their dignity, feeding them both in body and soul.

We know how important food is to a person’s health and well-being. That’s why we offer clients opportunities to shop for groceries — free of charge — in the Marketplace pantry, which offers a six-month emergency bridge for people experiencing food insecurity.

In the past year, our nutrition programs distributed over 500,000 pounds of food through the 101,951 daily meals served in the Marian House Kitchen and the 1,919 households who shopped in the Marketplace.  We believe that healthy, nutritious food should be available to everyone. 

Ed, who is featured in our “Matthew 25” ad campaign and can be seen on the front of this issue of the Herald, says, “Because of you, I can receive a warm meal every day at the Marian House.”  Ed is homeless and relies on the daily meal at the Marian House Kitchen to stay healthy and fed. 

 This holiday season, we ask you to accompany us in this mission of providing help and hope to those struggling in our community. Our dedicated staff, volunteers, and donors make our work possible.  

 Andy Barton, CEO of Catholic Charities, said “I invite you to check out Catholic Charities and learn about all the ways We Are There for this community.  From nutrition, mental health, and medical services to case management, employment skills, and housing services, we strive to help our struggling community members find stability and support their families.”

  The Catholic Charities network of 168 agencies, along with Catholic Charities USA, the network’s national membership organization, has launched an awareness campaign promoting the life-giving work undertaken each day by Catholic Charities agencies around the country. Through national and local advertising efforts, the campaign will shine a spotlight on the vast and varied services that the Catholic Charities network provides to millions of people in need each year.  Learn more at WeAreThere.US. 

(Rochelle Schlortt is Chief Communications Officer for Catholic Charities of Central Colorado.)