CCS holds Annual Appeal

SALT LAKE CITY — With the letter at left, sent to parishes Nov. 13, Diocesan Administrator Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald helped to kick off Catholic Community Services (CCS) of Utah’s annual winter appeal to parishes in the areas CCS serves. The appeal is one of the major fund raisers each year for CCS, the social services, charity, and social justice arm of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. All donations to the CCS Winter Appeal remain in the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

"The diocese serves the needs of the poor through CCS," Msgr. Fitzgerald said in a Nov. 27 interview with the Intermountain Catholic. "We support CCS in many ways – through the Diocesan Development Drive, through endowments, and through our physical support. Either the bishop of the diocese or the vicar general serves as chairman of the board of CCS and appoints board members.

"In our name, CCS welcomes refugees to our country and our state, feeds the poor through the St. Vincent de Paul Center and other programs, provides care for people with addictions through St. Mary’s Home for Men, and offers shelter for women and children in need through Marillac House in Salt Lake City."

Over the past two years, CCS’ services in Northern Utah have expanded through the opening of the Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank and Social Services Center, which includes the Hall learning center.

In its Salt Lake City offices, CCS offers its refugee resettlement program, immigration services and refugee foster care, and Sharehouse, where refugees and others in the community can obtain household goods, furniture, and clothing.

CCS also offers emergency services at the St. Vincent de Paul Resource Center and the Bishop William K. Weigand Resource Center, and ministry with older adults.

During the holiday season CCS offers the Gift of the Drummer program, supplying disadvantaged children with new clothing and toys. This year they will help 1,000 children have a joyful holiday.

"CCS also represents the diocese with other community agencies," Msgr. Fitzgerald said. "Right now CCS is in the process of renovating a building made available by Intermountain Health Care. It will house all of the services and ministries of CCS from one location."

Msgr. Fitzgerald said CCS’ former building, a gift from Kennecott Copper, has been sold, and with the permission of Kennecott, the funds were made available for the renovation of the new CCS building.

"We are praying that everyone will be as generous as they can for this Winter Appeal," he said. "The poor and the marginalized in our community have great needs, and they look to us, to CCS, to help them make it through the cold winter and the holiday season."