St. Vincent de Paul copes with spike in requests

By Valerie Schmalz
Middle-class and working jobless are seeking assistance from the lay Catholic society
During the biggest economic downturn since the Great Depression, St. Vincent de Paul Society councils throughout the country have responded to a significant uptick in calls for help — including those from the middle class.
Requests for assistance are up 40 percent in [...]

David Ashby reaches Washington

There are easier ways to get from Orlando to Washington, D.C., than walking back roads in the dead of summer, zigzagging to homeless shelters along the way.
But for 14-year-old David Ashby of College Park, suffering was the whole point. The Lee Middle School graduate set out in June on a 1,100-mile journey of self-sacrifice to [...]

On the road again: David Ashby heading toward Saint Augustine

Fourteen-year-old David Ashby of Orlando is back on the road to Washington, D.C., this week as his younger sister recovers in a Virginia hospital from a devastating accident.
David, who is trying to raise awareness of the nation’s 1.5 million homeless children, suspended his 1,100-mile walk June 17 — just two days after he started in [...]

David Ashby to resume trek; sister Aubrey still in hospital

David Ashby, the 14-year-old Orlando teen who began walking to Washington, D.C., to raise awareness of homeless children, will resume his trek Monday morning, his mom said.
David’s much-publicized journey had been abruptly halted June 16 — just two days into his trek — when his 10-year-old sister was in a serious, freakish accident. Staying with [...]

Inspiration: Teen starts trek to D.C. to spotlight homeless kids

By Kate Santich | SENTINEL STAFF WRITER
June 16, 2009
After months of planning, 14-year-old David Ashby set out on his 1,100-mile walk from Orlando to Washington, D.C., on Monday, vowing to draw attention to the nation’s estimated 1.5million homeless children.
“My goal is to give these children a voice, experience their pain, listen [...]

A must read: Who are the poor?

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0900896.htm
Who are the poor? Advocates use many means to put a face on poverty
By Dennis Sadowski
Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON (CNS) — At St. Joseph Husband of Mary Parish in Las Vegas, Society of St. Vincent de Paul volunteer Carolyn Leontos can always count on parishioners to come through with big donations in times of need, even [...]

Do you think we’d have this problem?

Lack of donations delays thrift shop’s grand opening
By DEBORAH FELDMAN / KING 5 News
KENT, Wash. – One of King County’s largest charities wants to open a new thrift store, but they need donations to fill it up.
That may be a tall order, since thrift stores are noticing a dramatic drop in donations.
Read more: http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_021109WAB-vincent-charity-ks.82248a5.html#

U.S. dioceses prepare for gloomy economic forecast, pray for the best

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0806343.htm
By Chaz Muth
Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON (CNS) — U.S. Catholic dioceses in regions hardest hit by the economic meltdown haven’t had to resort to drastic financial measures, but officials are bracing themselves for the possibility.
Officials from dioceses contacted by Catholic News Service Dec. 17 said their 2008 budgets are solvent, enabling them to operate without radical [...]