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Over the past three years, Nutritional Development Services (NDS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has delivered hundreds of Easter baskets and bags to various organizations participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). CACFP is a federally funded food program administered by the PA Department of Education, where licensed childcare centers, shelters, and afterschool programs provide meals to children, with assistance from sponsors like NDS or other partners. The gifts are hand-assembled and donated by Molly Thomas, who spends much of the year prepping, gathering supplies, fundraising, and assembling the baskets and bags. This year, NDS helped Thomas distribute 342 Easter baskets and bags, including eight large family baskets. “The joy that Molly creates through her incredibly beautiful Easter baskets and bags is difficult to measure. This year-long project stems from her desire to share Easter with children who might not receive such a

In 2014, Saint Charles Borromeo and Our Lady of Fatima Parishes in Bucks County merged at the Saint Charles Borromeo location. Following, Our Lady of Fatima Church became the Fatima Catholic Outreach Center, a social services ministry with a focus on serving the Hispanic communities of Lower Bucks County and Northeast Philadelphia. The center was initially a collaborative project of Catholic Social Services (CSS) and Saint Mary Medical Center. During the COVID-19 pandemic, services at the center were suspended in April 2020. In September 2020 the doors reopened, this time under a new partnership between CSS and Saint Charles Borromeo Parish. Modes of support at the site include social work, community immigration resources, accompaniment, domestic violence advocacy, seasonal English as a second language (ESL) classes, and interpretation services. Additional programs include gardening and arts programs, financial education, immigration legal services, citizenship classes, and meals for those experiencing homelessness. “We at the

At the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center the Archdiocese of Philadelphia kicked off the 49th annual Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) Rice Bowl initiative. Rice Bowl is a nationwide Lenten program providing people of all ages with a way to put their faith into action through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. In 2023, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s collection was up nearly 14% with over $426,000 raised through Rice Bowl. Approximately seventy-five percent of those funds, or $320,000, supported CRS’ humanitarian response and development programs in nearly 100 countries where it operates. The remaining twenty-five percent of the funds, or $106,000, went to Nutritional Development Services supporting hunger and poverty alleviation efforts through its network of 50 food cupboards throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. This year, Rice Bowl officially began on Ash Wednesday, February 14 and will conclude on Holy Saturday, March 30. For additional information and resources for CRS Rice Bowl, please visit https://archphila.org/crsricebowl/.

Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s (NDS) Community Food Program is continuing its efforts to support those facing food insecurity by participating in the nation-wide Souper Bowl of Caring collection. The Souper Bowl of Caring is a national initiative using the energy surrounding the National Football League’s Super Bowl as a catalyst to mobilize youth in a united effort to care for those in need in their local communities. Those interested in supporting NDS’ Community Food Program can make a contribution by visiting the Souper Bowl of Caring Tackle Hunger Map here and searching for Nutritional Development Services Community Food Program. Those interested in supporting NDS directly can make a gift by visiting here. All donations made now through February 11th (Super Bowl Sunday) will help stock the shelves of NDS’ food cupboards and provide nourishment to our neighbors in need. To maximize the impact, NDS is also

Men and women from The Communities of Don Guanella and Divine Providence (DGDP), part of the Intellectual Disabilities Division of Catholic Social Services (CSS), marked the Christmas season with DGDP’s traditional family party. Nearly 500 individuals were in attendance for this festive occasion, including those served by DGDP as well as their families and caregivers. Supporters and benefactors of the program were also invited to participate. The event included caroling by the West Chester University Newman Center Choir, dancing, a seated luncheon, a distribution of gifts, and a special visit from Santa. DGDP’s Christmas party was made possible through the generosity of donors and volunteers, both at the corporate and individual levels. (Photos: Sarah Webb)

The proposed Saint Katharine Drexel Place will serve eligible seniors aged 62 and older with 48 one-bedroom housing units. (Photo: Catholic Housing and Community Services) At the end of October, residents of Northeast Philadelphia were invited to a community meeting to learn about Catholic Housing and Community Services’ (CHCS) proposed Saint Katharine Drexel Place. Saint Katharine Drexel Place will serve eligible seniors aged 62 and older with 48 one-bedroom housing units, six of which will be fully accessible for persons with disabilities. There will also be a rich continuum of on-site supportive services including case management, health services, and recreational activities. Supportive services will be provided by CHCS through its extensive network of collaborative partnerships. The 52,000 total square foot development includes the renovation of an existing three-story friary building that housed the friars who taught at Archbishop Ryan for decades, along with new construction of a three-story

(Photo: Bishop Shanahan High School) For almost three decades, Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (NDS), has hosted its holiday food drive to counter hunger in the five-county area during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Last year, approximately 20,000 pounds of non-perishable food was collected through this effort. “The Holiday Food Drive is a great way for schools to support their local communities during Advent and Christmas,” says Denise Hopkins, Administrator for the NDS Community Food Program. “We are grateful to all the schools who participate and help those in need!” As a critical component of this hunger relief effort, NDS is partnering with Parish and Regional Elementary Schools and Archdiocesan High Schools throughout the Greater Philadelphia Area. NDS is also once again sponsoring its “Alternative Christmas Cards” program. This initiative aims to provide an alternative to individuals and families who wish to send non-secular Christmas cards

The Communities of Don Guanella and Divine Providence (DGDP), a ministry of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS), marked the feast of their patron, Saint Luigi Guanella (Don Guanella) with a Mass of Thanksgiving on Tuesday, October 24. Most Reverend Joseph L. Coffey, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese for Military Services, was the principal celebrant and homilist. Men and women served by The Communities of DGDP as well as their families and caregivers were in attendance for the prayerful occasion. Supporters and benefactors of the program were also invited to participate. In honor of Saint Luigi Guanella’s feast day, Archbishop Pérez released a video message as part of the celebration this year. The Archbishop said, “Today, his legacy is central to the mission of The Communities of Don Guanella and Divine Providence, a ministry of Catholic Social Services serving more than 400 men and women each day.