Anna is a single mom of four children, ages one to seven years old. Anna recently called Catholic Charities because she received a disconnection notice from the gas company. Until this incident, Anna had been working hard to stay current with all of her bills. However, due to a pay structure adjustment with her job, she went from a weekly pay to bi-weekly. When this change took effect, Anna began to struggle while learning to navigate a new budgeting system. In addition to this unexpected adjustment, Anna also expressed how difficult it has become to budget for things like gas and groceries due to inflation.
Catholic Charities was able to help Anna with her most immediate need, avoiding a utility disconnection, and we will continue to work with Anna to develop a sustainable budget for the cold winter months yet to come.
More than 38.5 million Americans like Anna live in poverty today. Of those, 1.5 million live in Ohio, and 163,000 live within the six counties of the Diocese of Youngstown. In response to our neighbors in need, Catholic Charities is inviting Catholic parishioners and others of good will to be a light in the darkness for those living in poverty by supporting the 2023 Warm Hearts for Warm Homes campaign.
The Warm Hearts for Warm Homes annual collection raises funds to help families with children, working poor adults and older adults on fixed incomes with utility assistance during the long, cold winter months here in Ohio. This campaign, formerly known as Keep the Kids Warm, was renamed in 2020 so that we could expand our reach beyond families with children. We continue to realize that many people struggle to keep up with the rising cost of living and may encounter challenges resulting from the pandemic.
When individuals and families experience a financial setback — an unexpected medical expense, a layoff, vehicle repairs, or missed days of work due to illness or quarantine — they struggle to pay all the monthly bills, such as the utility bill, plus the cost of the unforeseen expense. Additionally, families transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing often have past debts that must be paid before a utility company will turn new service on in their name.
Funds from Warm Hearts for Warm Homes, enables Catholic Charities to help families with children, working poor adults and older adults when emergency needs arise. The 2023 campaign will run the weekend of January 14-15, during Poverty Awareness Month.
Despite the challenges poverty presents in our neighborhoods and communities, Catholic Charities is here to provide help, create hope and work with others to develop strategies that provide relief to those bearing poverty’s burden. One way that you can help is to support the Warm Hearts for Warm Homes collection. Since its inception in 2008, more than $518,000 has been raised for utility assistance, and more than 65,000 lives have been impacted!
Catholic Charities continues to serve qualifying individuals as our resources allow, regardless of their faith. Community and parish participation in Warm Hearts for Warm Homes is appreciated, as the responsibility for eliminating human suffering and fighting poverty belongs to us all.
If you would like to make a contribution to Warm Hearts for Warm Homes or would like additional information, visit Catholic Charities’ website, or contact Jennifer Lucarelli, 330-744-8451, ext. 316.
