CHARLOTTE — In 2025, 16 parishes and two Catholic ministries in the Diocese of Charlotte received $1,000 Catholic Charities CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grants to assist people in need.
Grant recipients represented the geographic diversity of the diocese, with the 18 grantees located in nine of the diocese’s 10 geographic divisions. Locations of 2025 grant recipients included: Albemarle, Asheville (2), Belmont (2), Boonville, Charlotte (4), Clemmons, Eden, Greensboro, Lexington, Mint Hill, Morganton, Spruce Pine and Sylva.
A dozen of the grants helped fund parish food relief programs, including two weekend backpack programs that give supplies to students. The remaining six grants helped ministries that assist the homeless, offer utility assistance, host a parish-based health program, provide supplies for a community garden, and sponsored an educational event on opioid addiction.
These grants were made possible through the Lenten CRS Rice Bowl Collection. Each year, 25% of proceeds remain in the Diocese of Charlotte to help at the local level. The other 75% goes to Catholic Relief Services to help fund humanitarian assistance overseas.
Queen of Apostles Parish in Belmont received a grant for its Backpack Weekend Food Program. As project coordinator Julie Russo noted, “Children who would be hungry on the weekends are being provided well-balanced meals and are ready to learn Monday morning.”
In Lexington, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish used the grant to distribute Lenten Food Bags in the community. The program directly helps those in need and raises awareness of food insecurity in the community.
As program coordinator Marla Silbernagel explained, an additional benefit is “getting our parish name out in the community. We will be distributing paper grocery bags printed with our parish name and address.”
Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Charlotte used their grant funds for community outreach for students.
“The grant funds will be used to provide nutritious snacks for students at Druid Hills Academy, helping to ensure that children in our neighborhood have access to healthy options that support their well-being and academic success,” said parishioner Chanele Jackson, project leader and youth stewardship volunteer.
Grant recipients are appreciative that the program allows their ministries to do more. As Jackson said, “we are grateful for the trust you have placed in our parish and for the meaningful work CRS makes possible. This grant will allow us to continue serving our community with compassion, stewardship, and a commitment to justice.”
The 2026 CRS Rice Bowl Program begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18. Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte is grateful for all the parishes and schools that participate in the CRS Rice Bowl, which has been a program of CRS for more than 50 years.
Founded in 1943, CRS is the official overseas relief and development agency of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and is a member of Caritas International. For more information, visit www.crs.org.
— Joseph Purello, CRS Diocesan Director and Catholic Charities Social Concerns and Advocacy
SAPPHIRE — The Diocese of Charlotte recently reached a new milestone, its 55th gift of $1 million or more, from a couple whose generosity crossed continents.
Thomas Giesey, a traveling salesman for Goodyear Tire Co., and his wife, Gretchen Giesey, spent their nearly 63 years together sharing what they had with others – whether close to home or across the globe. Gretchen passed away on June 26, 2024, and her husband followed seven months later on Jan. 18, 2025.
The couple spent their summers in Sapphire, attending St. Jude Church for more than 24 years. After their deaths, the diocese received a $1.125 million gift from their estate. A portion of that gift will fund the Thomas and Gretchen Giesey Memorial Endowment Fund, which was established for the general needs of the Sapphire parish.
The remaining money will go toward “Building Our Future Together,” St. Jude’s capital campaign, which has a goal of raising $9 million toward a new church and campus improvements.
Current campus buildings are more than 50 years old and require updates to serve a community that is anticipated to grow by 10% to 13% in the next five years.
The Gieseys are two of the donors across the diocese who have given one-time gifts of $1 million or more either by cash or stock, pledged to capital campaigns or special projects, or left gifts in their estate plans. Such gifts benefit parishes, Catholic schools, the diocese’s foundation and St. Joseph College Seminary.
“The Gieseys left their mark in this community and were dedicated to securing the future of the parish,” said Father Jason Barone, pastor of St. Jude Parish. “We are thankful for their service and their intentional gift that was in keeping with their generous spirits.”
While Thomas Giesey’s career took the couple around the world, what they recalled most about their journeys were shared memories of helping others. During a life-changing trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, they became a second family to a young girl in need, cooking meals for her ailing father while keeping her and her siblings entertained with stories.
Beyond their travels, they believed in the power of education and consistently supported the academic pursuits of loved ones, assisted homeless children and young adults seeking opportunity, and gave to churches and ministries.
As Jim Kelley, diocesan development director, said, “Generous parishioners like the Gieseys have changed the lives of countless people, parishes and ministries across our diocese.”
“We are grateful for gifts of any amount,” Kelley said. “Couples like the Gieseys who chose to leave significant gifts of $1 million or more are demonstrating their confidence in the Church’s leadership and their commitment to carrying their faith forward to future generations.”
— Courtney McLaughlin
Fund an endowment
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Join more than 1,800 people who have informed the diocese they plan to remember the Church in their estate plans. For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..