Catholic Charities Forced To Turn People Away

Catholic Charities of Pueblo is being inundated with people who are struggling to pay their bills.

“We receive hundreds of phone calls every month,” said Ida Rhodes, Program Director. She said the slow economy is still hitting Pueblo hard. Rhodes said many people are working for minimum wage and struggle to pay their bills.

Unfortunately, the diocese’s charity doesn’t have the funding to help everyone. “We have to turn away about 50 people a day,” said Joe Mahoney, Executive Director.

A 54-year-old Pueblo West resident was one of the lucky people who was able to get some assistance from them.

“We are just down on our luck,” said Lanie. Her husband was severely injured at work and she had to quit her job to take care of him. They only receive about $850 a month to pay their bills.

The charity was able to pay her water, electric and gas bills. “I feel so blessed,” she said.

Assistance is given on a first-come first-serve basis.

Organizations like United Way, grants, and personal donations fund their program. They only have about $40,000 in assistance funding for the next three months. Mahoney anticipates it being used up much sooner.

They only help individuals or families once-a-year and three-times in a lifetime.