For more information, contact:
Nancy Jackson 410-254-2270

Brother, can you spare one hour's wage?

As the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) prepares for its 30th annual collection in the nation's Catholic churches, parishioners are being asked to contribute one hour's wage.

CCHD is the Catholic Church's program to fight poverty in the United States. The National Conference of Catholic Bishops established CCHD in 1970 to try to change the root causes of poverty. Last year, CCHD awarded $8.5 million in grants nationally; here in Baltimore self-help groups received $173,775 for projects such as literacy programs, improved education and housing initiatives.

Money for the grants, which are approved by the bishops, comes from one annual collection held every year in November. This year, the collection will be on Nov. 20 and 21, and parishioners are urged to put one hour's wage in the collection plate. Many of the "poor" in the United States actually hold full-time jobs or work more than 40 hours per week, but their wages do not keep pace with the cost of housing and other necessities.