The Matthew 25 Collection allows the Diocese of Harrisburg to address the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing on a local level through food banks, soup kitchens and other parish-supported projects that assist those in need.
Provide Food, Clothing and Shelter
Addressing Local Needs
All of the funds collected benefit local needs. Seventy-five percent of the monies collected will be distributed to programs within the Diocese to address the needs of the poor. Twenty-five percent of the monies will be returned to parishes for their use in assisting others. The Matthew 25 Collection replaces the collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.
Help to make a difference. The Matthew 25 Collection will take place the weekend of November 22, 2026.
“As families continue to struggle with a challenging economy, and requests for grant funding continue to increase, your support is needed now more than before. Please consider making a gift to the Matthew 25 Collection the weekend of November 23rd.” – Bishop Timothy C. Senior
- Mrs. Susie Brehm
- Mrs. Lisa Donohoe
- Mrs. Cathie Ferry
- Ms. Doreen McCall
- Mr. Kevin Mitchell
- Deacon Richard Owen
- Mr. Matthew Palmer
- Monsignor Edward Quinlan
- Mrs. Kim Roche
- Father Timothy Sahd
- Mr. John Soubik
- Mr. Mark Sullivan
- Mrs. Doris Witmer
- Mr. Michael Zarcone
Grant Criteria
The Diocese of Harrisburg’s Matthew 25 Collection makes grants available annually to organizations that provide food, clothing, and shelter. Grants are available to parish and pastor supported initiatives.
All applicants are required to use this grant application without alteration or application will be returned. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered for funding.
Grant Program
Who qualifies for funding?
Applicants must be located within the 15 counties of the Diocese of Harrisburg, its mission is in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church, is an approved 501(c)(3), and funding will be utilized specifically for food, clothing, or shelter. Applications must clearly define how the grant funding would be utilized by the organization.
What is not funded?
This collection does not fund salaries, building construction costs or other purposes not related to the primary needs of food, clothing and shelter.
All Matthew 25 Grant Applications require a pastor’s signature and endorsement on parish letterhead supporting the applicant’s organization.
The maximum grant request for each organization is $12,000. Organizations may only submit one application per grant year.
Since 2010 the collection has provided grants to more than 50 organizations, exceeding $1.5 million in assistance. The grants are awarded to local efforts that addressed basic survival needs and support efforts.
| Name of Organization | Funding Recommended |
|---|---|
| A Women's Concern | $2,000.00 |
| AGAPE - Bare Necessities Program | $3,500.00 |
| AGAPE - Daily Bread | $4,500.00 |
| Assumption BVM | $1,800.00 |
| Birthright of Sunbury | $2,000.00 |
| Bloomsburg Food Cupboard | $9,000.00 |
| Brethren Housing Association | $12,000.00 |
| Caring Cupboard | $10,000.00 |
| Carlisle Area Family Life Center | $2,500.00 |
| Catholic Harvest Food Pantry | $11,000.00 |
| Christian Churches United | $10,000.00 |
| Community CARES DBA Carlisle Cares | $10,000.00 |
| Community Giving Foundation | $10,000.00 |
| Community Resource Connections | $10,000.00 |
| Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland and Perry Counties | $5,000.00 |
| Gate House Transitional Housing & Care Center | $10,000.00 |
| Gather the Spirit for Justice | $4,425.00 |
| Gettysburg C.A.R.E.S. | $10,000.00 |
| Healthy Steps Diaper Bank | $6,200.00 |
| Lancaster County Project for the Needy | $3,000.00 |
| Manos Unidas Hispanic American Center | $8,000.00 |
| Morning Star Pregnancy Services | $6,700.00 |
| New Hope Ministries | $8,000.00 |
| Off the Streets - Lancaster | $10,000.00 |
| Off the Streets - Middletown | $10,000.00 |
| Off the Streets - York | $10,000.00 |
| OMPH Benevolent Society | $3,000.00 |
| Paxton Presbyterian Church | $2,000.00 |
| Print of Peace, Steelton | $12,000.00 |
| Project SHARE of Carlisle | $8,000.00 |
| Samaritan Fellowship | $12,000.00 |
| San Juan Bautista, Lancaster | $6,000.00 |
| Silence of Mary | $12,000.00 |
| St. Anne/Our Lady of LaVang, Lancaster | $8,000.00 |
| St. Francis of Assisi, Harrisburg | $12,000.00 |
| St. Patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg | $12,000.00 |
| St. Pius X, Selingsgrove | $10,000.00 |
| The Lord's Lunch | $10,000.00 |
| The Salvation Army, Capital City Region | $6,000.00 |
| Womens' Care Center of York | $7,500.00 |
| TOTAL AWARDED 2026 | $310,125.00 |
“Thank you to the Matthew 25 Review Committee and Bishop Senior for grant funding to Morning Start through the Matthew 25 Collection. The funding for prenatal vitamins and pack-and-plays will help provide life-affirming support to the many women coming through our doors. Thank you for partnering with us in making a difference in the lives of those we see.”
Morning Star Pregnancy Services, Harrisburg
“As God so often does, this grant award comes as a saving grace. Just this past month one of our older clients passed away leaving his infirmed roommate struggling to pay the lot rent, where circumstances and timing put them together as roommates the prior year. While our Social Services Coordinator is exhausting all other assistance avenues, it is a “God wink” for sure that we have been blessed again this year with your Matthew 25 funds for just such a housing emergency.”
Central Division of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, Grantville
“Rent, utilities, and the cost of child care, have increased considerably this year and as a result, many families struggle to provide the basic needs for their loved ones. The availability of affordable housing, particularly for those with young families, is one of the issues we most often face with our clients every week. It is one that continued to demand a significant portion of our resources as has been demonstrated this past year when over 75% of our funds were used to pray for the cost of housing and utilities. As a result of the generous contributions we have received from supports such as you, we have been able to increase the aid that we provide to individuals needing this help.”
The Samaritan Fellowship, Inc., Carlisle
“Your support not only helps us to achieve our immediate goals, but also contributes to the long-term sustainability of our organization and plays a crucial role in enabling us to continue our life saving mission. With your help, we are able to make a lasting impact on families in our area through our medical services, educational programs, materials assistance, and so much more! We could not continue our mission without you!”
A Woman’s Concern, Lancaster
“This grant will go a long way to help feed, clothe and provide shelter for the poorest of the poor in the Harrisburg area. Thank you.”
Silence of Mary Home
Susan Rudy, Executive Director
“Because of these funds and others funds, that we recruit in the local area, we are able to embrace the ‘strangers’ who come to the Church for help.”
Manos Unidas, Gettysburg
“Your generosity to our Baskets for Babies program will help us continue to bring a ray of sunshine into the darkness many of our neighbors are experiencing. May God bless you for being a point of light to us and many others in our area!”
Carlisle Area Family Life Center, Carlisle
Lori A. Peters, Executive Director
“Thank you for your generosity to allow us to continue our ministry of serving those in need.”
OMPH Benevolent Society, Ephrata
