Support Catholic Charities hurricane relief

Published: November 13, 2024

The following article was originally published in Catholic Charities Connections, a special section of Arkansas Catholic, on Nov. 8, 2024.

Catholics in Arkansas who want to help with the recovery efforts of survivors of hurricanes Helene and Milton can donate to Catholic Charities USA, the official domestic disaster relief agency of the Catholic Church in the United States.

“Charitable contributions can be made directly to Catholic Charities USA or sent to the Diocese of Little Rock to be forwarded," explained Dennis Lee, executive director for Catholic Charities of Arkansas. "Either way, 100 percent of all donations received will go to providing help for the people affected by these two devastating hurricanes.”

Donors drop off items at a collection point for disaster flood relief at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, Tenn., in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which swept through Tennessee Sept. 28, 2024.

“Parishes have the option of taking up a special collection, which some have already done," he added.

Hurricane Helene struck in late September, tearing a path of destruction and causing catastrophic flooding through Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee. More than 200 people died in its wake.

On Oct. 9, Hurricane Milton made landfall on the gulf side of Florida and cut across the state while creating tornados and flooding communities, many of which were still reeling from Hurricane Helene.

Local Catholic charities agencies in all the hurricane-damaged states are responding with immediate relief and longer-term recovery efforts. So far, Catholic Charities USA has distributed more than $2 million in donations to 11 affected Catholic charities agencies. Supplies such as water, food, diapers, cleaning supplies, solar lights and hygiene kits are being provided to hurricane survivors. Visit the Catholic Charities USA website to learn more.

Helping people with low incomes with the difficult and expensive task of repairing a home or relocating to affordable housing will be the challenge for the Catholic charities staff and volunteers undertaking long-term recovery work.

Donations to Catholic Charities USA for “Hurricane Relief” can be mailed to 2050 Ballenger Avenue, Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314. Online donations can be made through the Catholic Charities USA website. Donations marked “Hurricane Relief” for Catholic Charities USA can also be mailed to Catholic Charities of Arkansas, Diocese of Little Rock, 2500 North Tyler St., Little Rock, AR 72207.