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Catholic diocese awards Poverty Relief grants to four Fayette County agencies

By Frances Borsodi Zajac fzajac@heraldstandard.Com 2 min read

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg recently awarded five grants totaling $33,500 to outreach groups that help the homeless and hungry through its Poverty Relief Fund. Four of the agencies are from Fayette County.

They include: City Mission-Living Stones Inc., Uniontown, which received $10,000; Genesis House Ministries Inc., Uniontown, $10,000; Connellsville Area Community Ministries, $5,000; and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for Fayette County program, $2,500. Together, the organizations received $27,500.

Jerry Zufelt, managing director for the diocesan Office for Communications, explained distribution reflects both need and agencies that have applied for the grant.

“These are groups who are reaching out to others, meeting a need,” Zufelt said.

A diocesan press release explained:

“City Mission has served the homeless of Fayette County for more than 30 years, and nearly 400 men, women and children annually pass through the shelter. The mission will use the grant to purchase a truck to pick up donations, transport maintenance equipment and assist clients in their move to stable housing.

“Genesis House Ministries is a faith-based residence that helps men who have left the prison system transition back into society. The grant will be used to purchase furniture and fixtures for the facility and its library.

“Connellsville Area Community Ministries will use the grant to create a Circles USA program, which utilizes mentors to help families break the cycle of poverty. Among other things, a mentor can work with an individual to gain a high school diploma or provide assistance creating a resume to help someone acquire employment.

“The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank will use the grant to increase youth participation and improve the summer food service programs in Fayette County.”

Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt created the fund, which is supported through an annual collection the weekend before Thanksgiving. Since its founding in 2011, it has awarded nearly $188,000 in grants to groups that serve the diocese, which includes Fayette, Westmoreland, Armstrong and Indiana counties. Fayette County has received 11 grants since the program began.

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