Fifth-graders from St. Patrick School pitched in at the Catholic Charities’ food pantry in Charlotte – organizing and stocking shelves and packing bags of food to be distributed to people in need. (File, Catholic News Herald)CHARLOTTE — As schools let out for summer vacation and prices of food continue to rise, Catholic Charities’ food banks across western North Carolina are expecting an increased demand on household supplies.
In 2022, Catholic Charities’ food banks distributed more than 562,000 pounds of food to nearly 14,000 families in need. With children out of school and unable to receive school-provided meals, a greater struggle is placed on families. Prices of food and household goods continue to rise, leaving little or no wiggle room for many family budgets.
“There’s a common saying about food insecurity that I find sums up the needs of families, especially those with children, after school closes for the year: Hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation,” says Gerry Carter, executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte.
“For most of us, childhood memories of summer vacations involve thoughts of being outside, playing games, just being kids. But for many families served by our food pantries, summer vacation includes the reality that food will not be plentiful – that there simply won’t be enough to eat. We’re exceptionally proud of our partnerships with parishes and community groups to lessen the pain of hunger in our local communities during the summer months and throughout the year.”
— Spencer K.M. Brown
How can you help?
Financial donations are an effective way to help serve people in need and enable Catholic Charities to assist participants and buy food. Learn more and make donations via:
ONLINE: www.ccdoc.org(click on “Donate”)
MAIL: Make checks payable to “Catholic Charities” and send to: Catholic Charities, Central Processing, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203-4003
PHONE/EMAIL: Contact Virginia Garramone, director of development, at 704-370-3349 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Food pantries
To make a delivery to any of these locations, call for an appointment at least 24 hours in advance:
CHARLOTTE FOOD PANTRY:
Call 704-370-3262 or text 704-268-9821
Hours: Tuesdays 10 a.m.-noon, Thursdays 1-3 p.m.
ASHEVILLE FOOD PANTRY:
Call 828-255-0146
Hours: Wednesdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
WINSTON-SALEM FOOD PANTRY:
Call 336-727-0705
Hours: Thursdays 9-11:30 a.m.
Need assistance?
Catholic Charities offers services to people across western North Carolina. Go online to www.ccdoc.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for help.
CHARLOTTE — Parishes across the Diocese of Charlotte will take up a second collection for relief efforts and other work of the Church at all Masses the weekend of May 20-21 as part of the International/National Combined Collection.
Coordinated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, donations received from this annual collection benefit five organizations: Catholic Relief Services, Collection for the Holy Land, Collection for the Works of the Holy Father (Peter’s Pence), The Catholic University of America, and the Catholic Communications Campaign.
Donations are used as follows:
> The Catholic Relief Services Collection supports Catholic Church organizations that carry out international relief and solidarity efforts. Programs include relief and resettlement for victims of persecution, war and natural disasters; development projects to improve living conditions for the poor; legal and support services for poor immigrants; peace and reconciliation work for people suffering from violence; and advocacy on behalf of the powerless.
> The Holy Land Collection supports the work of the Franciscans working in the Holy Land.
The Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land have the unique responsibility of caring for the Holy Places as well as caring for the Christians living in the Holy Land.
> The Peter’s Pence Collection provides the Holy Father with the financial means to respond to those who are suffering as a result of war, oppression, natural disaster and disease. The USCCB National Collections Committee oversees the promotion of this collection.
> The Collection for The Catholic University of America underwrites scholarships to assist financially deserving students in completing their education at CUA in more than 50 disciplines.
> Through websites, social networks, television, radio and print, the Catholic Communication Campaign helps the Church spread the Gospel message through the media locally and nationally.
Half of all donations to the CCC collected in the diocese stay in the diocese to support local communications needs, such as radio and television programming and diocesan publications.
— Catholic News Herald