A community is defined by how it cares for its most vulnerable people, and Greater Cincinnati is proving itself to be a place of great compassion and generosity.
In recent months, a number of local parishes, faith communities, and schools have partnered with Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio to reach out to our neighbors in need. Here are a few highlights:
Good Shepherd Parish in Montgomery continued its annual tradition of collecting coats, hats, gloves, and scarves that are critically needed — and deeply appreciated — by newcomers to our area. The donation drive in January 2025 yielded 882 coats that benefited Catholic Charities’ clients. This winter, generous parishioners started donating even earlier, which allowed us to distribute cozy winter clothing to Su Casa and Refugee Resettlement clients in the office and to pantry participants during a Food for All pantry distribution at St. Joseph Church in the West End. “When I went to pick them up in December, I had so many coats, I was afraid I wasn’t going to be able to fit all the bags in the vans,” says Mary Anne Bressler, Parish & Community Engagement Coordinator. What a wonderful “problem” to have!
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) has also continued its longtime friendship with Catholic Charities. In addition to church members consistently volunteering at Food for All pantries, the LDS church invited Catholic Charities to be part of a ministry fair during its service day in November in Lakeside Park, Ky. A number of volunteers are fluent in a second language, and several of them expressed interest in volunteering with our refugee and immigrant communities. Participants regularly offered thanks for the work that Catholic Charities does and for the chance to partner with us. “There’s just such a warm relationship,” Mary Anne says. “They’re steadfast supporters of the work that we do. It’s really phenomenal.”
St. Ursula Academy is also a steadfast supporter of Catholic Charities. In recent years, students have participated in various volunteer activities for Su Casa. “They’ve been very interested and supportive,” Mary Anne says. Last fall, students from two Spanish classes visited Su Casa to learn more about the ways in which we serve the Spanishspeaking community and to pack hygiene bags for a health fair. In January, 2025, a group of students used T-shirts to make special tote bags for our food pantries.
Moeller High School continues its support of Catholic Charities. On February 10, four students volunteered as part of the school’s Magnified Giving program. In two hours, the young men sorted and boxed up 15 large bags of coats, hats, gloves and scarfs. These will be distributed to the refugee and immigrant families that we serve in our community. “I really appreciate these young men coming in on a day off from school to assist us here at Catholic Charities,” Mary Anne says.