The Catholic Charities forming part of the Diocese of St. Cloud’s Share the Spirit program will welcome families in need and connect them with local helpers and organizations willing to provide them with gifts for the holidays.

“Thank you to those who have already sponsored a family in need this holiday season through our Share the Spirit program,” a Facebook post written by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud read. “We are grateful for your support. We are seeing an influx of families that have been referred to our program by social workers, medical providers and education professionals.”

The families, recommended by social workers, medical providers or education professionals, will be matched with the appropriate Share the Spirit program participants, who will be given a list of items desired. 

A minimum of $70 must be spent on gifts for each family member. In wrapped conditions, they must then be dropped off at the National Guard Armory in St Cloud on Dec. 16. 

The initiative’s launch is mainly driven by the overwhelming figure of households living below the poverty threshold, which include one in 9 children residing in Minnesota. Their financial status alone places them at an altered risk of suffering from asthma attacks, hospitalizations, childhood lead poisoning and cardiovascular disease.

The organizations make an effort to serve the community throughout the year by providing housing, mental health, senior, emergency, family and child services.

“Join our Share the Spirit program and help our community members in need this holiday season. Visit ccstcloud.org/share-the-spirit to learn more and sponsor a family today,” the post continued.