ROCKFORD—During the continuing pandemic, Catholic Charities has received significant grants from the Emerging Needs Fund of the United Way of Rock River Valley. 

 

St. Elizabeth Catholic Community Center here was awarded an early grant of $10,000 for emergency food distribution, and over $3,000 received from donors who specified Catholic Charities and St. Elizabeth center in the area’s pledge drives.

 

Then, on Dec. 2, United Way of Rock River Valley President and CEO Paul Logli presented Catholic Charities diocesan director Patrick J. Winn with a check for $45,000 from the Emerging Needs Fund. 

 

Logli said the fund’s donors had agreed that the award reflected Catholic Charities long history as a founding member of United Way and its programs were trusted. 

 

Winn expressed his and Catholic Charities’ thanks for the award that exceeded the amount originally sought. 

 

According to Winn, United Way has worked in partnership with the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, Transform Rockford, Kjellstrom Foundation, the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence, and Workforce Connection to address hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

 

He said that “Catholic Charities and the people we serve are so grateful for the award. We will direct it to those who need assistance with the many necessities caused by the virus.” 

 

Quoting from Catholic Charities mission statement, Winn said that the goal was to “serve God’s people for the common good with compassion, dignity and respect.” 

 

This award, he said, will go a long way toward achieving that objective.