Blessed Mary Catherine Kasper Award (up to $1,500.00)

Grantee: Wellspring’s Week-end Food Bank

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Description:The Blessed Mary Catherine Kasper Award for Outstanding Service to the Poor: This is a $1,500 award established in honor of the Foundress of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. These awards are given to agencies who typically do not qualify for the Foundation’s regular healthcare access grants, but who provide exceptional service and /or basic needs for the poor in Allen County.

Blessed Catherine Kasper was born in 1820 in Dernbach, Germany. Though poor in earthly goods, social standing, and formal education, she was rich in compassion and love for the poor and sick, and her mind was alert to the needs of the day. With only $1.50 in her pocket, she built a Center from which she nursed the sick of her village and in which she provided a home for a widow and eight orphans. Other women began joining her work and established the Congregation of Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ in 1851. The religious community has continued to grow and prosper. Today, Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ minister in Germany, England, the Netherlands, India, Mexico, Brazil, and the United States. In recognition of the work Mary Catherine Kasper began and continues to inspire around the world, Pope Paul VI gave her the title “Blessed” on April 16, 1978.

Deadlines: First working day of March, June, September and December

Eligibility: Applicants should have a demonstrated history of serving poor and powerless populations residing in Allen County. Applicants should be not-for-profit entities classified as 501(c)3 by the Internal Revenue Service.

Mary Catherine Kasper’s shoes

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Mary Catherine Kasper’s shoes, which she wore out walking miles to tend to the needs of the poor in her community and later, to visit the many houses and convents operated by the Poor Handmaids to serve the most vulnerable.

The Foundation will consider requests for program, program-related equipment, staff continuing education, and technical assistance. The Foundation will commit support on an annual basis only. Additional funding will be contingent upon program performance. Grant applications will not be accepted for building projects, elimination of deficits, support of political activities, individuals, or projects all ready completed.

The St. Joseph Community Health Foundation shares the values of its sponsor and values the dignity of each person. The Foundation also follows the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. As such, it will not fund anything destructive of human life.

Resources for Requesting a Grant