Catholic Charities' Relief Totaled $4.8M Across Arlington Diocese

VIRGINIA — Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington provided $4.8 million in food and emergency rental and utility assistance to more than 31,000 people in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The services were provided by the social services arm of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington through nearly 90,000 client visits, a marked increase from pre-COVID-19 numbers, with 115 percent more clients needing food assistance and 130 percent more clients needing emergency rental and utility assistance over the past year.

“The need for assistance, be it food or financial support, during the past year was unmatched in recent history. The impacts of the pandemic were felt deep within our communities, by family, friends and neighbors,” Stephen Carattini, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, said in a statement Friday.

Carattini said the need for assistance has not subsided in recent months even as COVID-19 numbers improved in Virginia.

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“[T]he long-term impacts of the pandemic continue to sharpen,” Carattini said. “Our commitment continues to be to meet this need wherever it exists.”

Food and emergency assistance are two of the 21 programs that Catholic Charities operates throughout the 21 counties and seven cities of the Diocese of Arlington.

In March 2020, the organization modified services for the safety of clients, volunteers and employees in order to continue supporting individuals and families during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The public can offer material or financial support to Catholic Charities by visiting the charity’s website. Individuals interested in donating food or in need of assistance should go to the website of their local Catholic parish, or visit Catholic Charities’ website at ccda.net.

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