Denver, Colo., Dec 17, 2008 / 13:22 pm
This year, helping those less fortunate is even more necessary as greater numbers of people find themselves out of work. Last week, Catholic Charities of Colorado found two examples of organizations stepping forward to help those in need.
On Dec. 9, Catholic Charities received a donation of 400 cases of canned fruit for use in their emergency assistance centers. The donation of peaches and apricots was presented by Elder Randy Funk of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley at the Byers Place Emergency Center, 1205 W. Byers Place in Denver.
According to Randy Weinert, director of Communications for Catholic Charities, the Mormon Church has a network of farms and orchards throughout the country at which they grow fruits and vegetables. After picking and processing, the canned produce is distributed to the poor through the church’s own emergency assistance efforts.
"This year because their crop was so abundant, they had a lot left over," Weinert told the Denver Catholic Register, "so they looked to donate to other charitable organizations across the country. Here in Colorado they chose Catholic Charities."