We as members of St. Margaret Mary Parish (SMMP) currently donate about 6.7% of our income to charitable organizations both inside and outside of the parish community.  A portion of these funds are directly allocated to Daybreak Transitional Housing each year. Additional funds are transferred to PADS and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul that are SMMP organizations. One important aspect of this evaluation is that the committee and therefore the parish gets a realistic feel of the effects of poverty and need in this world.

The Charitable Contributions Committee (CCC) distributes the remaining portion of these funds to a wide range of organizations which serve others in need.  The funds are allocated based upon human needs including: 1. feeding the hungry, 2. clothing the naked, 3. sheltering the homeless, and 4. providing for the physical and spiritual well-being of individuals and groups.  Those served are from the local area (DuPage County), surrounding counties and even foreign locations. In the fiscal year of July 2005 through June 2006, 25 grants were made with the following distribution: counseling services (including aiding employment) -17%, churches -15%, poor and the homeless – 15%, Catholic schools -14%, elderly care (food, respite, housing) – 11%, pro-life (including adoption aid) – 10%, disabilities (mental and physical) – 9%, food pantries - 4%, foreign missions – 3%,  and children and youth activities – 2%. Typical organizations included: Archbishop Romero Catholic School. Birthright of DuPage, the Bruckner/Kneufer Guest House, Ecumenical Adult Day Care, House of Good Shepherd, Kolbe House, Guardian Angel Home, Franciscan Outreach, NAMI of DuPage (mental disabilities), Northern IL Food Bank, Precious Blood (parish and food pantry), Seguin, Teen Parent Connection, etc.

Applicants for funds are requested to apply through SMMP and provide: 1. a summary of the activity for which funds will be used, 2. confirmation of their tax exempt status, 3. a copy of the previous year’s annual financial statement, and 4. a year-to-date financial statement.  A member of the Committee reviews the information and either visits the organization or has them visit SMMP (other than foreign applicants, of course.)  The whole Committee then acts upon the request. 

The monthly meetings are open for parish members, and we are pleased to consider individuals interested in joining the Committee.

Don Cronauer, chairman