The Samual H. & Maria Miller Foundation made a gift of $500,000 to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland for its Emergency Assistance Fund, which assists people impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The fund, which is managed by the Catholic Community Foundation, addresses immediate basic needs such as food, rent and utilities. It aso provides resources to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, which is working on the front lines and is committed to the mission of helping people of all faiths, races and creeds who are in need.
The late Sam Miller, a Cleveland businessman and philanthropist, was a servant leader who throughout his life worked tirelessly to help others. He was known as a catalyst for cooperation between the Jewish and Christian communities.
“Sam’s legacy continues to bring people together in tackling tough issues, like the one we are facing today,” said Patrick Grace, executive director at the Catholic Community Foundation. “So many individuals and families are struggling to meet their basic needs. Catholic Charities faces an increased demand to assist people hit first and hardest by this crisis – people who were already disadvantaged. The Miller Foundation gift will help ensure that more services are delivered so that many of our neighbors do not suffer.”
In addition to the Emergency Assistance Fund, the Catholic Community Foundation recently established an Emergency Response Fund that allows pastors to apply for grants in order to deliver basic assistance to people in the community at the parish level. Since March, more than $75,000 has been donated by individuals through a crowdfunding site at CatholicCommunity.org/GiveToHelp.These private donations have boosted the Emergency Assistance Fund to more than $575,000.
Checks to benefit the Emergency Assistance Fund and/or the Emergency Response Fund can be mailed to Catholic Community Foundation, Attn: Megan Gerome, 1404 East Ninth Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44114.
The Catholic Community Foundation is dedicated to enriching lives by encouraging faithful philanthropy. The foundation supports the mission of the Diocese of Cleveland to provide for the spiritual, educational and charitable needs of people throughout Northeast Ohio. Since its inception in 2000, the foundation has raised more than $465 million to support Catholic Charities, Catholic education, priestly formation and other ministries in the diocese.