FALL RIVER –  Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River (CCFR) has announced it is again sponsoring its Gift of Giving program to support individuals and families in need at Christmas.

As in recent years, CCFR is asking parishes, organizations, and individuals to consider donating a gift card, in any denomination, from either Walmart, Target or Amazon, rather than toys or items of clothing.

CCFR will then provide gift cards to families in the program so that they can have items delivered directly to their doors or picked up at stores.

Using gift cards simplifies and streamlines the collective response of members of the Diocese.   In addition, CCFR officials explain, it empowers the individuals and families to make their own decisions based on their own needs.  Some of the feedback from families who have received gift cards is that it gives them the “dignity of choice.”

CCFR has provided parishes with suggestions to help facilitate the Gift of Giving program and will be available to assist with the logistics of getting donated gift cards to CCFR headquarters in Fall River.

Those who are interested in donating a gift card to Gift of Giving should check to see if their parish is participating in the program as a community, and, if so, how to support it. Otherwise, individual donations may be sent to the CSS main office in Fall River or dropped off at any CSS location listed below.

Catholic Charities (Main Office)
1600 Bay Street
Fall River, MA 02724
Tel: 508-674-4681

Catholic Charities
238 Bonney Street
New Bedford, MA 02744
Tel: 508-997-7337

Catholic Charities
261 South Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Tel: 508-771-6771

Beyond gift card donations, CCFR is also offering individuals, families, parishes, and organizations the opportunity to sponsor a family or families for Christmas. CCFR will provide Information about a family or families in one of its programs including details on family members and needs, along with sizes, etc. Sponsors may then shop accordingly.

Rose Mary Saraiva of CCFR said that in past years leading up to Christmas both the gift card Gift of Giving and the family sponsorships programs were successful and that “the benefits to both recipient and donor are immeasurable.”

On behalf of the agency, she expressed “heartfelt gratitude to everyone for considering being part of the program this year. Without the support and generosity of the people of the Diocese of Fall River, we would not be able to sustain this program.”

If anyone has questions, please reach out to Saraiva at Catholic Charities at 508-674-4681 ext. 1111 or by email rsaraiva@ccfrdioc.org.

Diocese of Fall River
Diocese of Fall River
Office of Communications