Catholic Charities extends deadline to help families in need at Christmas

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge (CCDBR) has extended the deadline to Friday, Dec. 8 to sponsor seniors and families in crisis through its Christmas program. 

Starting in September, CCDBR screened and verified over 500 families and clients from the past year for whom Christmas gifts are an expensive burden.   

"We still have close to 200 families needing a sponsor," said Catherine Weidert, communications coordinator of CCDBR. "If we don't find sponsors for these seniors and families, these families will go without this Christmas, and that is the last thing we want to see."

The matching process is automated with donors having the ability to choose recipient families at christmas.ccdiobr.org. Donors may request a family with a specific number of members or even a family with children similar in age. 

"We are hoping and praying we don't have to make those phone calls to our clients saying they weren't sponsored," said Weidert.

Donors are able to shop from clients’ wish lists or provide gift cards. 

"A lot of the wishlists consist of necessities, like towel, sheets, clothes  and personal hygiene items," said Weidert. 

The deadline to choose a sponsor family is Friday, Dec. 8. Gift delivery dates are December 12–15 and December 18-19. Visit christmas.ccdiobr.org to learn how the program works and to choose your family. 

Although the CCDBR list is closed, if you need assistance this Christmas, call 2-1-1 for available resources.