Catholic Charities Maine Announces Matthew 25 Award Winners

Catholic Charities Maine Announces Matthew 25 Award Winners

Portland, ME – Catholic Charities’ Parish Social Ministry program is pleased to announce eight parishes have been selected for this year’s Matthew 25 grant awards. Designed to support parishes in their efforts to serve vulnerable people in need, regardless of their faith affiliation, the grants totaling $15,000 will help parishes expand the capacity to serve more people within a current direct service ministry or to help develop a new social ministry.

“We were impressed by the numerous applications we received that are a testament to the good works parishes are doing to address the needs in their community,” notes Michael Smith, Director of Mission for Catholic Charities. “We believe that this financial support can help extend our reach in helping Maine’s most vulnerable populations while recognizing a parish’s dedication to live out their baptismal call to service.”

This year’s Matthew 25 recipients include:

St. Mary of Lourdes Parish in Lincoln will receive $4,000 to start a summer meals program when school is not in session and there is a gap in meal services for community youth.

Our Lady of Snows Parish in Dexter will receive $1,000 to get new sideboards for their soup kitchen which has seen an increase in use and is experiencing structural deterioration.

St. John Vianney Parish in Ft. Kent will receive $3,000 to help renovate a new space for their food pantry so that more food can be provided to those in need and to improve accessibility for volunteers.

Parish of the Precious Blood in Caribou will receive $1,000 to help expand their blanket ministry into new communities. The blanket ministry currently provides free blankets to those in need via the soup kitchen and veterans’ home.

Cluster #22 (comprised of St. Bartholomew in Cape Elizabeth, Holy Cross in South Portland and St. Maximilian Kolbe in Scarborough) will receive $1,000 to start a weatherization program for parishioners to assist families in need that receive fuel assistance.

Christ the Divine Mercy Parish in Millinocket will receive $2,500 to purchase a new freezer for their food pantry that serves three local communities. The freezer will allow them to provide fresh meat, eggs and milk to patrons.

All Saints Parish in Brunswick will receive $1,300 to purchase new tables and chairs for its Lenten suppers. The suppers raise critical funds for the Social Justice and Peace Commission which in turn supports a variety of local charities.

St. Michael’s Parish in Augusta will receive $1,200 to extend their Saturday night meal program to the five Saturdays in the year that are the fifth Saturdays of the month, when no community church is serving meals and persons suffering from hunger insecurity would have to go without a meal.

Custom-crafted stained glass awards and checks will be presented at parish masses throughout the coming months.

Since 1966, Catholic Charities has provided high-quality, community-based, social services to people of all faiths, beliefs, and economic backgrounds. As one of the largest human service agencies in the state, we are committed to helping children and adults overcome adversity and achieve self-sufficiency. To learn more, please visit www.ccmaine.org or call 1-800-781-8550.

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