There&#8217s a lot of speculation as to whether one of the worst recessions in recent

memory is subsiding. But even without a clear answer, one thing is certain: The need for

services, and for the charitable giving to provide them, is as critical as ever.

As Catholic Charities launches the parish week of its annual fund drive, organizers are appealing to those who have begun to believe that there may be a way out of the worst

recession in decades &#8212 giving them the confidence to consider resumed giving &#8212 while

thanking those who consistently contributed.

In doing so, the agency has taken a very practical approach in recognizing times remain

tough; the appeal goal has been lowered slightly to $10.5 million this year. The official

&#8220Appeal Week&#8221 will last from today through next Sunday, but the campaign chaired

this year by banker Michael Whipple extends until June 30, the end of the agency&#8217s fiscal

year.

Bishop Edward U. Kmiec also acknowledged that there are challenges in raising funds in the

current Western New York economy. It is because of those challenges that the appeal theme,

&#8220Whoever, Wherever, Whenever,&#8221 is fitting, since Catholic Charities provides help

for people regardless of religion, race, gender or ethnicity in the eight counties of Western

New York, with 70 programs and 61 locations.

The continued poor economy and high unemployment have caused a shift in clientele, with

many previous donors now showing up for assistance. Among the variety of programs, including

domestic violence and family counseling, Catholic Charities now administers the Women, Infants

and Children program that Erie County dropped. The agency currently serves about 20,000

residents in the WIC supplemental nutrition program at 16 sites across Erie and Niagara

counties.

Catholic Charities has fared well in external auditing &#8212 96.34 cents of every dollar

goes directly into services, and the organization has the highest ratings given by the Council

on Accreditation and Charity Navigator. And for every dollar received from donors, Catholic

Charities leverages another $4 in other-source funding for its array of services. That should

give contributors confidence that their donations &#8212 60 percent of which go to Catholic

Charities, with the rest benefiting Diocese of Buffalo ministries through the Bishop&#8217s

Fund for the Faith &#8212 are put to good use.

Catholic Charities also has launched itself firmly into the 21st century with a

comprehensive Web site and a presence on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

That makes this drive easier to check out.

Stressing the importance of every dollar, Catholic Charities continues to make a strong

appeal to all residents of this region to give what they can. Each dollar makes a difference.