Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. We are motivated by the example of Jesus Christ to assist poor and suffering people in more than 100 countries on the basis of need, without regard to race, religion or nationality. This programs touch more than 140 million lives. CRS serves Catholics in the United States through innovative advocacy campaigns addressing the complex issues facing our world.
CRS Helping Hands meal packaging events are a partnership between Catholic Relief Services and Rise Against Hunger. Rooted in our call as missionary disciples to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world, volunteers work together to package meals for children and families in 40+ countries. CRS provides the resources and event assistance and Rise Against Hunger provides the food, supplies, event day management and logistical expertise. For every Helping Hands event a donation is made to CRS for development projects that support communities to develop and implement sustainable projects that reduce poverty. Since its inception, volunteers have packaged over 11 million meals for communities around the world and supported multiple sustainable development projects to increase availability and access to food for the most vulnerable.
Right now, there are many families who are fearful for their lives.COVID-19 has devastated their lives and livelihoods. Droughts has led to crop failure and hunger. And gang violence and drug cartels has left many young people and their parents living in constant fear.
When you donate to Catholic Relief Services today, you help families—many with children—who are facing unimaginable hardship and multiple emergencies at once.In their home countries, your gift helps provide urgent food and shelter, protect kids against trafficking, keeps children in school, and helps youth stay out of gangs in some of the toughest neighborhoods. The support helps create greater safety and opportunity so that families don’t feel the urgency to flee their homes and countries.
For migrants who have fled for safe refuge and opportunity, your gift supports a network of 35 faith-based and local shelters in Guatemala and Mexico. There, extremely vulnerable families receive the relief of a safe, dignified place to sleep, rest, eat and bathe. They also benefit from psychological, legal, and medical counseling. Assistance is also provided if they are being returned to their home countries.