Catholic Charities hosted its first Leadership Breakfast 40 years ago. A simple meal prepared and served by our staff, it lasted only one hour and raised $50,000. Today, the Leadership Breakfast Campaign has grown into the largest source of unrestricted support for the agency’s mission and work, fueling more than 80 programs that serve people of all faiths throughout Maryland.
This year’s campaign will help Catholic Charities meet the everyday needs of those we are privileged to serve, while helping people overcome the economic fallout and health challenges presented by COVID-19.
Leadership Breakfast Campaign Chair J. Scott Wilfong, the retired chair, president and CEO of SunTrust Bank’s Mid-Atlantic region and a longtime community volunteer, explained why he agreed to lead this year’s campaign, which aims to raise an ambitious $5 million in unrestricted support.
“COVID-19 has tested the resources of Catholic Charities as we strive to meet the needs of an ever-increasing number of community members who face real challenges,” he explained. “We are determined never to be in a position to turn away someone who is struggling – and that takes resources.”
The unrestricted nature of Leadership Breakfast Campaign support is particularly essential in tumultuous times. Having the flexibility to use money where it is needed most allows Catholic Charities to respond with speed and agility to serve our fellow Marylanders as the pandemic and related recovery efforts continue.
Since the start of COVID-19, Catholic Charities has risen to local challenges in new ways. On a weekly basis, we served 10,000 meals, provided 2,500 tele-therapy and counseling sessions, made 3,500 check-in calls to our seniors, and responded to 150 SNAP benefit counseling calls on average. These services would not have been possible without the support of our donors.
Learn more about the Leadership Breakfast Campaign here.