Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle is excited to announce that, once again, we are participating in The Panhandle Gives Campaign, brought to us all by the Amarillo Area Foundation. We do not know if you were personally affected by the recent government shutdown or the reduced SNAP benefit payments, but we know many people were. Thanks to your previous support, we were prepared for the increased need. Although both of those challenges are quickly racing into memory, the holiday season is here with all the joy and anxiety it brings. Like last year,we are rolling our former Holiday Food Basket appeal, as well as the others, into this one activity. Your support of us through The Panhandle Gives helps keep our shelves stocked (food for the InterFaith Hunger Project and “all things baby” for Joseph’s Project – A Pregnancy Resource Center), updated books for all our our education classes, and underwriting for probono legal help for those needing legal immigration help. The Panhandle Gives Campaign, thanks to the amplification fund established by the Amarillo Area Foundation, stretches your generous donations even further (potentially up to a ten percent increase). Thanks to your generosity, we can ensure that our community receives the support it needs during the holiday season and beyond. Join us as we “Provide Help, Create Hope” across the Texas Panhandle.

We are a little late sharing this, so hopefully if you intended to give your gift in this fashion, you’ve already spoken with us. Catholic Charities, with the help of the Amarillo Area Foundation, is offering supporters the ability to process non-cash gift options, such as gifts from Donor Advised Funds, appreciated stock, or Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs if they would prefer to donate in that fashion. For these types of donations, you can begin the process as early as October 15 by contacting Stephanie Goins at (806) 376-4521 or [email protected]. Non-cash gifts do take longer to process, so if you are interested, act fast. Please note, cash, check, or online gifts must be processed between November 24 and December 3. Instructions for these can be found in the next column. For any questions about The Panhandle Gives, supporters can contact the Catholic Charities office at (806) 376-4571.

# How to Write a Check to Support Catholic Charities through The Panhandle Gives. Gifts via check must be $500 or more.

For gifts below $500, follow this to the giving portal The Panhandle Gives Link

Your generosity can make a real difference in your community. Follow these simple steps to write a check supporting Catholic Charities through The Panhandle Gives campaign:

1. Payee: Write “The Panhandle Gives” in the “Pay to the Order of” line.
2. Amount: Fill in the donation amount in both numeric and written forms.
3. Date: Choose a date between November 24, 2025, and December 2, 2025. This specific timeframe is crucial for your donation to be counted in the campaign.
4. Signature: Sign the check in the bottom right corner.
5. Memo: In the memo line, write “Catholic Charities”. This ensures your donation reaches the intended organization.

Important Notes:

• Your check must be deposited between November 24, 2024, and December 2, 2024 (postmark is NOT sufficient).
• Double-check all information before sealing your envelope. If your gift might not be received in time to be deposited on December 2, either process you gift online or call us for pickup.

By following these instructions, you’re not just writing a check – you’re extending a helping hand to those in need through Catholic Charities. If you still have questions, please see the sample check shown above, or call us at 806-376-4571. We are happy to help guide you through the process. Participating banks include:

• Amarillo National Bank
• FirstBank Southwest
• Happy State Bank

Thank you for your compassion and support!

Ready to make a difference? Grab your checkbook and let’s get started!