Catholic Charities collecting items to aid with crisis at border

DUBUQUE — Catholic Charities agencies on the southern U.S. border are continuing to assist immigrants on a daily basis.  These small agencies are prepared to handle approximately 200 people daily; however, they are averaging 500 people/day.

The agencies are short in personnel and supplies. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque has coordinated with local Catholic Charities agencies in Texas and California to send volunteers for two week deployments, that started June 10.

In addition, Catholic Charities is organizing a local donation drive for the specific items Catholic Charities agencies have requested help with such as: backpacks, diapers of all sizes, shoelaces of all sizes, toothbrushes, flip flops, belts for adult men and coloring books. These items can be dropped off at the Catholic Charities offices in Cedar Rapids, Dubuque or Waterloo from Mon-Thurs, 8:30-4:30, between the dates of June 24-July 8.

For more information, please visit www.catholiccharitiesdubuque.org.