The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust has awarded a one-year grant of $20,000 to Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for use by Saint Mary's Residence for Women.

"The grant will enable the purchase of food to prepare nutritious meals for about 36 frail elderly residents," said Michelle Montgomery, W.W. Smith Grant Administrator.

Kathy Nelson, Director of Saint Mary's Residence and a former Catholic Social Services employee of the year, said, "Today, our ladies come to us mainly because they have fallen through the cracks. Ensuring they have a healthy diet is essential. These women are in community living not because it is a cheaper housing option, but because most cannot live on their own, or prepare their own meals. We are grateful to the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust for enabling us to better fulfill our mission and hope that this grant will raise public awareness of our work." She went on to say. "Our facility dates back to the 1960's when the Notre Dame Sisters and the Sisters of Mercy saw the need to offer a safe home for working women alone in the city. We want Saint Mary's Residence to be the haven of help it must be for years to come."

The W. W. Smith Charitable Trust is a private foundation established by William Wikoff Smith. The Trust is specifically focused on areas involving basic needs for food, clothing and shelter; supplementing higher education scholarship programs and basic medical research primarily in Heart Disease, Cancer and AIDS.

Catholic Social Services (CSS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is committed to continuing the work of Jesus by affirming, assisting, and advocating for individuals families and communities in need throughout the five-county Philadelphia metropolitan area. It provides services without distinction to race, color, or creed.

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Editor's Note: For more information about Saint Mary's Residence as well as other CSS programs, please contact Jim Senior at 215-587-3588 or jsenior@chs-adphila.org. Visit CSS on the web: http://www.catholicsocialservicesphilly.org/

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Associate Director of Communications
215-587-3747