Without question, hardships brought about during this extended recession have had an adverse impact upon the lives of Rhode Islanders. Charitable giving participation has waned, pledge amounts have declined, and donations increasingly have been deferred to year’s end. For the first time in over 50 years, Charities had to delay distribution of grants until the last months of the year. Episcopal Charities awarded $69,000 less in grants for 2010 than it did the previous year.
These grants are critical to so many agencies, most of which have had to confront growing gaps between increased demand for services while resources and support have waned, and programs have endured some drastic cuts. With these grants, agencies can continue in their capacity to deliver services to women, to youth, to seniors, to the hungry and homeless, to victims of substance abuse and domestic violence. Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan instructs us to show care and concern for the afflicted one, whom some would just as soon neglect. Putting one’s love into action, sharing from one’s resources, is not always convenient. Yet if we were in a similar circumstance of need, we would most certainly welcome any genuine act of compassion sooner, rather than having to wait, as so many must do.
St. Paul’s contributed $37,754 in 2010; our parish’s challenge is to raise $36,000 in 2011. No matter how large or small, each of our gifts can add up to meet this goal, especially IF EVERYONE participates in some meaningful way. So we ask for your support of the 2011 Episcopal Charities Fund Campaign by joining us in:
Your gift can affect the life of just one person – among the thousands of Rhode Islanders served by Charities-assisted agencies. Your support can mean relief, comfort, and counsel for a young girl in crisis, a productive time of learning or fun for an inner city youth, a transitional shelter for a homeless mother and children, meals for the hungry, improved care, medication, or safe services for the elderly or those without health insurance, a sanctuary for a victim of domestic violence. You can make a world of difference to any one of these, and more. May each of us act in faith knowing that God grants us all the resources necessary, and will bless all that we do from grateful and caring hearts.
Faithfully,
