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Chef José Andrés serving as honorary chair for first-ever Catholic Charities’ Virtual Gala on March 13

In a 2017 photo, chef José Andrés stirs a pot of sancocho to feed Puerto Ricans who were recovering from the devastation following Hurricane Maria. The photo is featured on the cover of his book, “We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time.” Chef Andrés is serving as the honorary chair for Catholic Charities 2021 Gala, which will be virtual in accord with coronavirus safety precautions. (Photo courtesy of World Central Kitchen)

The 2021 Catholic Charities Gala will honor the work of the social services agency of the Archdiocese of Washington and acknowledge the contributions of its philanthropic community at its first-ever virtual celebration on the evening of March 13.

The 36th annual Catholic Charities Gala, which will be virtual as a safety precaution during the coronavirus pandemic, is expected to raise about $2 million to support the ongoing administration and programs of the Washington metropolitan area’s largest independent social services agency.

“Much has changed in the Washington area in the years since our first gala. And yet, one thing has remained the same: We have neighbors who need a helping hand,” said Msgr. John J. Enzler, Catholic Charities’ president and CEO. “Thanks to our supporters, Catholic Charities gives hope to those in need through a warm meal, a place to sleep, a guiding mentor, a caring case worker, life-changing medical care and more.”

Chef José Andrés, whose humanitarian work has highlighted the issue of food insecurity, is the gala’s honorary chair. The evening’s program will include a conversation, “Food as Hope,” between Andrés and Scott Lewis, who leads Catholic Charities’ food assistance initiatives.

Nashville singer-song writer Maggie Rose will provide the entertainment. Following her performance, members of Catholic Charities’ young professionals groups, the Enzler Society and 83.33 Society, will lead a conversation with the singer, a native of Potomac, Maryland, and a graduate of Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, D.C.

The program hosted by Msgr. Enzler also features two members of the Catholic Charities Board of Directors, Kevin Virostek, chair, and Robert Trone, chair emeritus. Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory will make his first appearance at a Catholic Charities’ spring gala.

After organizing in-person gala celebrations for more than three decades, Catholic Charities turned to a virtual format this year in keeping with public health recommendations during the pandemic.

While the gala’s format is different, the goal is the same: to provide the vital funding needed for Catholic Charities to continue its work in addressing basic human needs — shelter, adequate food, health care, legal representation and mental health services to so many who have nowhere else to turn.

Although held virtually, the evening includes personal touches such as take-home food from Ridgewells Catering and wine from Total Wine & More.

To kick off the festive evening, guests will receive conversation starter cards in goodie bags. The cards feature seven engaging questions, each with a tie to Catholic Charities. Among them is “Tell us about your favorite volunteer jobs. Why were they memorable?” a nod to the almost 7,000 people who volunteered at Catholic Charities last year.

The gala will begin on Saturday March 13 at 6:30 p.m. To attend the virtual gala or to provide a sponsorship, visit the gala website.

Catholic Charities DC, the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Washington, invests in communities by providing critical services to hundreds of thousands of people in need throughout the District of Columbia and Montgomery, Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties in Maryland. The organization works to give help that empowers and hope that lasts to those it serves regardless of background, belief, or circumstance. 

Catholic Charities is also holding a Virtual Lenten Food Drive that people can support as the agency continues its outreach to feed the hungry in the Washington area during this challenging time.

 During the pandemic, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington has distributed an estimated 1.2 million meals, through its food pantries and at dozens of large-scale food distributions that have taken place in hard-hit neighborhoods and communities throughout the area.

In addition, Catholic Charities’ Volunteer Medical Clinic has continued serving people in need in Northwest Washington, thanks to volunteer medical professionals. The agency recently launched its Newcomer Network, which helps immigrants with a range of care.

Throughout the pandemic, Catholic Charities’ ChAMPS (Child and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service) program has been responding to children in crisis, providing critical supportive services to children and families in the community. The agency’s School Based Mental Health program is providing psychiatry and community support services to partner schools. It also is doing individual teletherapy sessions. 

In addition, Catholic Charities’ Financial Stability Network is providing free tax preparation services to hundreds of low-income individuals in the Washington area.

For more information on Catholic Charities DC, visit www.catholiccharitiesdc.org and follow the agency on social media @CCADW.

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