Catholic Charities of Sacramento receives grant to aid individuals and families in wake of Ponderosa Fire in Shasta and Tehama counties

With the Ponderosa Fire near Manton and Shingletown nearly 100 percent contained on Aug. 30, Catholic Charities of Sacramento has been awarded a grant of $10,000 from Catholic Charities USA on behalf of Northern Valley Catholic Social Service in Redding for its response to the aftermath of the fire.

The fire, two miles east of Manton, started Aug. 18 and burned more than 27,000 acres in Shasta and Tehama counties. The lighting-caused fire has destroyed 52 homes and 82 outbuildings.

Northern Valley Catholic Social Service staff will offer assessments and short-term therapy for individuals and families who have been affected by the fires in Shasta and Tehama counties, according to Beth White, associate director for social service ministry for the Diocese of Sacramento. The focus will be to address immediate issues, provide connections to community resources, and to provide information regarding local support.

In 1990, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops commissioned Catholic Charities USA to coordinate the church’s response to disasters in the United States. Since 1990, Catholic Charities has responded to thousands of disasters, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the 2005 hurricane season, including Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 Gulf Coast oil disaster, the 2011 spring storms and most recent, Hurricane Issac.

Critical relief and recovery services are provided at the local level by Catholic Charities agencies, including emergency food, shelter, direct financial assistance, counseling and support to those who are impacted by the disaster. Services are funded, in part, by Catholic Charities USA relief grants.

Catholic Charities of Sacramento on the Web: www.catholiccharitiessacramento.org

Northern Valley Catholic Social Service on the Web: www.nvcss.org