Delivering food, shelter, and hope to the poorest of the poor
Childhood hunger is a serious problem worldwide. For example, in Guatemala, half of the children under the age of 5 are chronically malnourished. That’s why we work with Catholic ministry partners in Guatemala and around the world to send protein-packed meals to the poorest communities, reducing hunger, preventing tragedy and sharing Christ’s love. God calls his Church to share his love by feeding the hungry — and you can help!
Because we secure donations of ingredients and rely on volunteers to help pack Vitafood, your gift mainly covers the cost of shipping — meaning every dollar has three times the impact it would have in the marketplace!
Each bowl of Vitafood has three main components: a rice, lentil or potato base; a protein (usually soy or beans); and vitamins to energize, strengthen and improve overall health. Last year, Catholics like you helped us ship 32.6 million meals to the world’s poorest families.
As children and families are provided with this nutritious gift to meet their practical needs, most are blessed in other ways, too. Vitafood is a practical way to share Christ’s love and fulfill the Corporal Work of Mercy to feed the hungry.
Your gift will put healthy meals in the hands of children like Melany around the world. A gift of $70 will provide 1,000 meals to fill hungry stomachs and share Christ’s love. Be someone’s miracle with the gift of nutrition!
We receive material aid items, such as hospital beds and prenatal vitamins, by donation. This includes expensive equipment that would otherwise be difficult and costly to obtain. Your gift only has to cover the cost of shipping these materials to people in need, which means that every dollar you donate sends more supplies than it would if you also had to purchase them. For example, your gift to provide Vitafood will send three times the amount that could be bought at market price. Working together with our material aid donors, you can meet many critical needs around the world!
Actor David Henrie, known for his roles in Wizards of Waverly Place, How I Met Your Mother and Reagan, serves as a Cross Catholic Outreach Ambassador to help raise awareness of our efforts to bless vulnerable children and families around the world.
David recently traveled with us to south-central Guatemala to distribute Vitafood meals and children’s gifts and promote the compassionate work of our local partner, the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Lima.
“A significant part of our trip involved partnering with the Caritas staff to distribute food — a lifeline for so many families,” David said. “But it wasn’t just about providing meals; it was about being present, hearing their stories, and forming human connections. That kind of encounter stays with you, leaving a lasting impact.”
Fight hunger by providing protein-packed Vitafood meals to the world’s poorest communities. $70 provides 1,000 meals to families waiting for a miracle!
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Honoring Mary in the month of May is a tradition in the Catholic Church that brings us closer to Jesus through Mary’s intercession.
On the Second Sunday of Easter, we commemorate Divine Mercy Sunday, a Catholic feast day that observes St. Faustina Kowalska’s visions of Jesus.
The Cross Catholic Outreach Easter Catalog makes it fun and easy to give alms during the holy season of Lent and ensures those donations will have a major impact on the lives of the poor. Instead of being filled with retail items, our catalog contains meaningful gifts to bless the world’s most impoverished families. There are so many ways to help! Some gifts are life-sustaining items such as Food and Clean Water, while others are transformative projects such as those that provide Safe Homes or Education. All will be a wonderful blessing to families in need of hope!
It’s easy to shop through the Cross Catholic Outreach Easter Catalog. Browse the categories and choose an item close to your heart and within your budget, such as supporting Farming for Futures or providing Powdered Milk for children. Select and sponsor one or more of these gifts and you’ll make a meaningful impact on the life of a needy child or family. It’s that simple!
During Lent, Catholics around the world pray, fast and give alms for our brothers and sisters in need. Small sacrifices like these are just one of the ways we can follow Jesus’ example of giving his life on the cross to accomplish God’s plan of redemption. When we give alms, we bless the poor, obey God’s command to care for them and express our gratitude for the gift of salvation!
Absolutely! Once you select your items, you’ll be given the option to send an e-card or print a customizable certificate. These Easter blessings are a fun way to share Christ’s love and honor friends and family.
Cross Catholic Outreach transforms the lives of the poor and their communities, materially and spiritually, for the glory of Jesus Christ. Our cost-effective approach channels life-giving aid through an international network of dioceses, parishes and Catholic missionaries.
Help us pray for the poor – and break the cycle of poverty for children and families in need.
Donations from this campaign will be used to cover any expenditures for this project incurred through June 30, 2026, the close of our ministry’s fiscal year. In the event that more funds are raised than needed to fully fund the project, the excess funds, if any, will be used to meet the most urgent needs of the ministry.
