Press Contact:
Madelyn Weed
407.246.7188
407.664.7856 (cell)
mweed@cfocf.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Newly established Central Florida Catholic Mercy Fund responds to increased community needs
Orlando, FL – March 24, 2020
The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida’s Board of Directors has approved and provided seed and match money to establish a new fund, Central Florida Catholic Mercy Fund, in response to the increased needs of the people in Central Florida. Kimberlee Riley, President and CEO, announced that The Catholic Foundation board approved an initial investment of $10,000 to seed the fund and an additional $15,000 to match donations to this fund.
The Catholic Foundation’s Board Chairman, Tom Chandler, stated “As we’ve done before when our community was in need after Hurricane Maria, our organization is here to support the spiritual and corporal needs of the community throughout the Diocese of Orlando. Our board and staff want to do as much as we can to impact lives. Together we can leverage resources to address the increasing needs in our community.”
The Central Florida Catholic Mercy Fund will support Catholic Charities of Central Florida in their efforts to respond to increased needs of individuals, families, children, and seniors in the nine counties of the Diocese of Orlando. These needs will include funding to maintain stock in the agape mission markets and food pantries that Catholic Charities manages in these counties. Counseling services and behavioral care coordination will also be supported. Additionally, the new fund will provide assistance with rent, utilities and daily needs such as prescriptions for those faced with unemployment and job instability.
“As we monitor the turn of events throughout the world we are reminded of our common humanity. So many of our brothers and sisters in Central Florida are in need. The Central Florida Catholic Mercy Fund will provide resources for Catholic Charities of Central Florida to meet the increased demand for these much-needed services to the people in our community regardless of their race, religion, and ethnicity. We are a community foundation and we don’t only serve Catholics, we serve others because we are Catholic.” said Kimberlee Riley.
Donations can be made online at cfocf.org/mercyfund.
ABOUT THE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL FLORIDA:
The Catholic Foundation inspires and increases giving to fund God’s work and impact lives throughout the Diocese of Orlando’s nine-county area. Established in 2008, The Catholic Foundation is an independent, nonprofit foundation that has worked with donors and pastors to support our community. Its assets of more than $56 million in investments are managed for growth and to respect Catholic social teaching. We help individuals and organizations engage in philanthropy in a faith-filled way through socially screened investment options. These resources have built new and expanded churches and community centers to grow faith life in the Diocese, as well as prepare seminarians for the priesthood, and support retired priests. Additionally, these funds support education, health, housing and food assistance addressing community needs throughout Central Florida.
For more information, contact: Madelyn Weed at 407.246.7188 or 407.664.7856, or mweed@cfocf.org