Since June 2010, Catholic Charities has seen things we've never seen before.  Families are in crisis in record numbers, and they need your help.

We are seeing the unemployed because their benefits have been exhausted.  They are often tired and in tears because they can no longer find a way to care for their family.  We also see the underemployed, who were once working in professional jobs and now are earning minimum wage, unable to make ends meet.

Our largest homeless shelter has been at capacity for months and for the first time we have seen lines of people stretching around our Daybreak Center at 6:30 a.m. waiting for our Emergency Services department to open.  These people don't know where else to turn for help.

The requests for food are never-ending and with pending funding cuts to emergency food and shelter programs we're not sure if we'll have the resources to help.

Will you be our angel too?

For every "angel dollar" that you donate, he will match it – dollar for dollar – up to $50,000.  Please be generous.  It's Lent, a time for almsgiving and sacrifice.  Be an angel to someone who will have no where else to turn if Catholic Charities isn't there to help.

Please send in a donation between March 9th and April 30th. Please make checks payable to: Catholic Charities Angel Fund, 203 N. Ottawa Street, Joliet IL 60432.  You can also click here to Donate Now and don't forget to designate "The Angel Fund" on the donation drop down screen or call Margaret at 815.724.1140 and she can process the transaction for you.

Bless you for your support of Catholic Charities.  Together we are doing God’s work – and changing and saving lives!  If you can’t send a gift, please remember the vulnerable and needy in your prayers.