CHARLOTTE — With so many people facing challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year, funds awarded this fall by the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation will have particular impact.
Support for people in crisis, food for the hungry, faith formation resources and needed facility improvements are just some of the ways recipients of this year’s Diocese of Charlotte Foundation grant award winners will make a difference across western North Carolina.
The annual awards are given out based on need and the impact the funds are expected to have on their local communities.
This year 17 grants totaling $69,394 have been awarded to 10 parishes and missions, four diocesan outreach ministries and three parish food pantries. The grants range from $1,500 to $5,000.
One of the recipients of a $4,394 Foundation Grant is the Ave Maria Food Pantry at St. Bernadette Mission in Linville. Started in 2012, it now features 26 volunteers distributing 320-350 bags of groceries including dairy, produce, meat and dry goods each week to approximately 200 families – that’s about a total of 600 people each month.
“On behalf of the many volunteers and parishioners who contribute so much of their time and financial resources to the Ave Maria Food Pantry, I would like to thank the Diocese of Charlotte for the generous grant we recently received,” said Father Christopher Bond, pastor. “The money has already been put to very good use – helping to pay for an enclosed addition on what was the original rectory of St. Lucien Parish and St. Bernadette Mission, substantially aiding in the logistics of such an important enterprise. It is quite special to think that what started as a very modest home providing shelter for the priests now serves to provide food and clothing for those in our community who are in desperate need!”
Other food pantries which received grants include: Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Food Pantry in Charlotte, $5,000; and St. Jude Mission Food Pantry in Sapphire Valley, $5,000.
Four Catholic Charities offices across the diocese will use their grants in various ways: Catholic Charities Charlotte office, $4,000 to assist homeless veterans with housing; Catholic Charities Lenoir office, $4,000 to work with families in need; Catholic Charities Piedmont/Triad office, $4,000 to conduct charitable outreach in Guilford County and the surrounding area; and Catholic Charities’
Respect Life Office, $1,500 to create awareness about human trafficking.
Since 2001, the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation has awarded 376 grants totaling $1,008,894. These grants are distributed from three of the foundation’s 278 endowments.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
2020 Diocesan Foundation Grant Recipients
Catholic Charities, Charlotte Regional Office: $4,000, SSVF/Veterans Housing
Catholic Charities, Lenoir: $4,000, Walking with Families in Need
Catholic Charities, Piedmont/Triad Office: $4,000, Charitable Outreach for Guilford and surrounding areas
Catholic Charities, Respect Life Office: $1,500 Human Trafficking Awareness
Christ the King Mission, Kings Mountain: $5,000 Lighting Upgrades
Our Lady of Consolation Church, Charlotte: $5,000 Sports Leadership Initiative
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Charlotte: $5,000 Food Pantry & Social Ministry
Our Lady of the Angels Mission, Marion: $2,500 Preventative Maintenance
Our Lady of the Highways Church, Thomasville: $4,000 Ceiling Repair
Prince of Peace Mission, Robbinsville: $5,000 New Roof
Sacred Heart Church, Brevard: $4,000 Faith Formation
St. Benedict Church, Greensboro: $5,000 Society of St. Vincent de Paul
St. Bernadette Mission, Linville: $4,394 Ave Maria Food Pantry
St. Francis of Assisi Church, Jefferson: $3,000 Faith Formation
St. Jude Mission, Sapphire Valley: $5,000 Food Pantry Services
St. Mark Church, Huntersville: $4,000 Stephen Ministry Training
St. Pius X Church, Greensboro: $4,000 Faith Formation