Volunteers are the heart and soul of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh, and we proudly highlight the time, talent, and treasure they generously share with our communities. During National Volunteer Appreciation Week and every week, we celebrate our volunteers with gratitude and reflect on the countless ways they touch the lives of our neighbors in need.
Our volunteers truly live out the mission of Catholic Charities… “Providing help to our brothers and sisters in need by alleviating the effects of poverty and creating hope by developing solutions to transform lives.” Our volunteers are actively supporting Catholic Charities services available to families in 54 counties in Central and Eastern North Carolina through the operation of 11 service sites. Last year, our volunteers and staff served over 195,000 people through our programs of Disaster Services, Food Pantry Services, Family Advancement Services, and Immigration Legal Services.
At the Cape Fear Regional Office in Wilmington, retired volunteers and college students from the UNC Wilmington men’s basketball team worked side-by-side and were instrumental in helping disabled and senior residents maneuver life with a broken-down elevator in their four-story apartment building. Volunteers carried food and resources to the residents during a critical time. In addition to that service, students also stocked shelves at the food pantry, loaded supplies for the mobile food pantry, and spent time with senior residents in the community, offering companionship and support. As a result of this community building, volunteers committed to additional services to aid these residents.
In Raleigh, students from Cardinal Gibbons Catholic High School and St. Thomas More Academy are regularly active with Catholic Parish Outreach. The youth volunteers sort through donations, organize food items, and assist staff in various ways. Their dedication and sense of purpose is truly inspiring, embodying the spirit of service through compassion and love.
Another example of community service is seen with John Paul II Catholic High School students in Greenville. They work every second Saturday of the month in the Tar River Regional Office food pantry warehouse packing bags of food for our neighbors in need. The students’ commitment to eliminating food insecurity in the community is unwavering, and their efforts are impactful.
We applaud all the hard work and dedication of our volunteers and are immensely thankful for them. In Central and Eastern North Carolina, retired seniors, full-time workers, and students generously volunteer with Catholic Charities and give back in so many ways. Whether through donations of time or treasure, these volunteers pour into serving others, making our communities stronger and more resilient.