Catholic Human Services is the largest faith-based human services provider in Southeastern Pennsylvania and benefits more than 300,000 individuals of all faiths annually.

The Secretariat for Catholic Human Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CHS) is continuing to provide critical support and emergency assistance to individuals, seniors, families, and children impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic throughout the five-county metropolitan area.

CHS, which administers a broad range of human services programs as an expression of the charitable works of our local Church, is comprised of various agencies that serve general community needs, including Catholic Social Services, Catholic Housing and Community Services, and Nutritional Development Services.

Recently, CHS shared an overview of its COVID-19 response during the last three months and the community impact of these critical relief efforts. These efforts demonstrate the ongoing commitment of administrators and staff in assisting those in need during these challenging and unprecedented times.

Outlined below are a selection of highlights based by county from March 16-June 19. A full overview of the report can be viewed here.

Philadelphia County

• Nutritional Development Services has distributed 50,000 diapers to hundreds of families with infants and toddlers throughout Center City Philadelphia.
• Catholic Housing and Community Services has delivered 2,000 meals per week to 300 seniors in their homes, along with 1,700 wellness calls to provide emotional support.
• Catholic Social Services’ Saint John’s Hospice has provided daily over 400 men experiencing homelessness a days’ worth of nourishing “to-go” meals.
• Catholic Social Services’ Women of Hope (Lombard) safe haven has provided over 75 hot “to-go” meals per week to women experiencing homelessness.

Bucks County

• Nutritional Development Services has distributed 28,100 meals to 11 emergency feeding sites for children and youth ages 18 years and younger.
• Catholic Housing and Community Services has provided 102 seniors with food assistance at their homes along with 362 wellness calls to provide emotional support.
• Catholic Social Services’ Bucks County Family Service Center (Levittown) has provided 50 families per week per week with food assistance including fresh produce, dairy, meats, and pantry essentials.

Chester County

• Nutritional Development Services has distributed 115,688 meals, 28,529 pounds of food, and provided 56,547 meals to seven emergency feeding sites for children and youth ages 18 years and younger.
• Catholic Housing and Community Services has provided 26 seniors with food assistance at their homes along with 54 wellness calls to provide emotional support.

Delaware County

• Nutritional Development Services has delivered 28, 711 pounds of food to five community food pantries that serve children.
• Catholic Housing and Community Services has provided 45 seniors with food assistance at their homes along with 249 wellness calls to provide emotional support.
• Catholic Social Services’ Delaware County Family Service Center (Chester City) has provided 403 individuals access to laundry and shower facilities.

Montgomery County

• Nutritional Development Services has provided 28, 274 meals to five emergency feeding sites for children and youth ages 18 years and younger.
• Catholic Housing and Community Services has provided 123 seniors with food assistance at their homes along with 1,166 wellness calls to provide emotional support.
• Catholic Social Services’ Martha’s Choice Marketplace has provided nearly 2,500 families per month with food assistance including fresh produce, dairy, meats, and pantry essentials. Since the onset of the pandemic, Martha’s Choice Marketplace has distributed approximately 400,000 pounds of food.

In addition, across the region nearly 650 expecting and new mothers are participating in virtual parenting and prenatal classes offered by Catholic Social Services’ Family Service Centers and 250 individuals have been remotely assisted with consultations and court filings by Immigration Legal Services.

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Editor’s Note: The Secretariat for Catholic Human Services (CHS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia oversees a variety of agencies and programs which respond to people’s material, relational, emotional and spiritual needs. CHS is comprised of various agencies, including Catholic Social Services (CSS), Catholic Housing and Community Services (CHCS), and Nutritional Development Services (NDS).

A full overview of the report can be found by visiting: Secretariat for Catholic Human Services Coronavirus Response Efforts and Community Impact March 16-June 19