Autumn Harvest fundraiser will help provide funds for Holy Cross Ministries to serve those in need

Friday, Aug. 16, 2024

SALT LAKE CITY — Holy Cross Ministries will hold its annual fundraiser on Sept. 19 in the St. Mary of the Assumption Parish social hall. At the event, HCM will focus on the theme of “Being Good Humans to Other Humans.”

A nonprofit, “Holy Cross Ministries is both a community-based and faith-based humanitarian organization,” Director of Development and Communications Andy Cier said. “We don’t preach; we don’t judge; we minister – and by that, we mean minister to people’s needs. Though we are sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, we are here to help all human beings in our community regardless of their religious beliefs, their country of origin, their immigration status or their ability to pay for services.”

Guests at the event will hear from Sister Norma Pimentel, director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, the charitable branch of the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas. Over the past 20 years Sr. Norma has provided oversight to a diverse set of ministries and social services in the Rio Grande Valley including homeless ness prevention, disaster relief, clinical counseling, pregnancy care, food assistance and humanitarian relief to immigrants.

“Sister Norma is a beautiful storyteller, and her eyewitness accounts of both the suffering and the joy that she sees along the border offer the Utah audience a non-political glimpse into the humanitarian needs of migrant families,” Cier said.

Following Sr. Norma’s presentation, Holy Cross Ministries CEO Emmie Gardner will share how the organization is meeting the daily needs of the local immigrant community.

Guests at the Autumn Harvest benefit dinner will also enjoy farm-to-table cuisine, a live auction and opportunity drawings.

“Autumn Harvest is our single largest fundraising effort of the year, and our most important in terms of allowing us to tell our story,” Cier said. “Since HCM supplies a range of unique services to our immigrant population, it is our chance to share some of that work and be able to explain the various wrap-around services we provide our clients.”

Proceeds from the dinner will help support Holy Cross Ministries’ education, health and justice programs  for underserved families. Last year’s event raised $150,000 for HCM’s programs; this year’s goal is $200,000. 

“We saw a 25 percent increase in the number of clients we helped last year, and we don’t see that increased need ending anytime soon,” Cier said. “Where we are seeing the greatest suffering is amongst the people being granted Temporary Protective Status, individuals and families from 16 countries that the U.S. government has determined have conditions that prevent their citizens from returning safely.” 

This year Holy Cross Ministries is offering early bird ticket pricing, with $50 off individual tickets until Aug. 19.