Your legacy, their future — Ensuring Catholic Charities’ mission endures

I want to know that even when I’m gone, families will find hope here.”

When you think about what matters most in life, what comes to mind?

For many of us, faith, family and the difference we’ve made in the lives of others rises to the surface.

We all want to leave behind something that lasts, something that reflects our values and continues to do good long after we’ve gone.

We all want to leave a legacy.

At Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri, we see the impact of legacy every day, walking alongside our neighbors in need.

By feeding the hungry, welcoming the immigrant, and supporting families in crisis, we carry out our mission of providing care and creating hope as we transition neighbors from dependency to self-sufficiency.

Nevertheless, none of this work would be possible without stewards of faith and generosity who chose to say, I want to make sure this mission endures.

We know the needs of our community will never go away.

Families will face hunger.

People will need a safe place to turn in times of crisis or disasters.

New challenges — economic, social and natural — will arise.

Yet, Catholic Charities will be there, as we always have been, to respond with dignity and compassion.

That’s where Legacy Giving comes in.

Unlike annual and monthly donations, which keep our programs running today, legacy gifts create a strong foundation for tomorrow.

These gifts help us plan with confidence, respond to the unexpected, and ensure that future generations experience the same hope and support that inspire us now. 

So, what does Legacy Giving look like?

 Many are surprised to learn how simple it can be to leave a legacy.

You don’t have to be wealthy, and you don’t have to make complicated arrangements.

You can simply:

• include Catholic Charities in your will or trust — a few sentences in your estate plan ensures your values live on;
• name Catholic Charities as a beneficiary — easily direct retirement accounts or life insurance policies to support our mission; or
• create an endowment or gift annuity — these options provide income during your lifetime while sustaining Catholic Charities far into the future.

Every gift, no matter the size, serves as a powerful act of faith that says, I believe in this mission, and I want my love to live on.

We often hear from donors who share why they’ve chosen to leave a legacy.

One couple, longtime volunteers at our Food Pantry, told us, “We may not always be able to serve in person, but this way, we’ll always be helping to feed the hungry.” 

Another supporter, deeply touched by the struggles of families facing the overwhelming debt of predatory loans, decided to leave a part of his retirement to the Predatory Loan Relief Program.

He said, “I want to know that even when I’m gone, families will find hope here.”

These are ordinary people, guided by faith and love, whose simple “yes” will ripple through generations.

Like the poor widow in the Gospel of Luke who gave her livelihood of two small coins, giving doesn’t require abundance — only willingness.

“Give and gifts will be given to you…For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you” (Luke 6:38).

As you think about your own story, consider the gifts you wish to bestow and receive.

By making Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri part of your legacy, you ensure that Christ’s mercy works in practical, life-changing ways right here in your home community with a meal for a child, financial stability for a family and a warm welcome for a stranger trying to reunite with their loved ones.

More than a financial decision, Legacy Giving is a spiritual one.

It’s your way of saying, I choose my neighbor, even in the future.

Because of friends like you, Catholic Charities has been a beacon of hope for our entire diocesan community.

Our mission is timeless, but its endurance depends on those who carry it forward.

With your legacy, we can make sure that light shines for generations to come.

If Legacy Giving isn’t an option right now, don’t worry — you can still make a difference today through our October “Don’t Save the Date” appeal.

No event, no fuss — just meaningful impact.

Your generosity is the celebration.

If the invitation hasn’t arrived in the mail, give us a call at 573-635-7719 or visit our website, cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/give/, to donate online.

Together, we can ensure Christ’s call to love and serve reaches our neighbors both today and tomorrow. 

For more information about simple ways to leave a legacy or how to donate to our “Don’t Save the Date” appeal, please contact Angela Hirsch, Director of Development at 573-635-7719 or development@cccnmo.org.