Rev. Fred Kammer, President of Catholic Charities USA, was pleased with the recognition of Catholic Charities as the top charity for individuals seeking to get the most for their donated dollar. Of that, 6.8 million received emergency medicine, food, clothing and shelter. The remaining 3.7 million received social services such as counseling, housing, adoption services, refugee resettlement, pregnancy services and foster home care. Catholic Charities USA is the nation's largest, private network of people helping people. Some 1,400 local agencies and institutions, with more than 310,000 staff members and volunteers, aim to reduce poverty, support families, and build communities in the United States.
People receive help without regard to their religious, racial, ethnic, or economic background.
Catholic Charities USA also responds to domestic disasters on behalf of the U.S. Catholic community. In 1997, agency social policy activities on the national level most often focused on income security and welfare reform, international justice and refugees, and employment issues. Other top concerns were hunger and abortion. Income security and welfare reform also topped the list on the state level, where employment issues and adoption also were common issues. Prominent local issues included income security and welfare reform, housing, and hunger and nutrition, according to the report.