Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi, Inc. and Mother Teresa Shelter, Inc. will be joining local non

On November 15th, the third Coastal Bend Day of Giving will take place. This year, over $260,000 in matching funds are available from twelve groups: Coastal Bend Community Foundation, Estill Foundation, Paul and Mary Haas Foundation, Laverne and Thomas Howell Foundation, John G. & Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, Morris Lichtenstein Foundation, Larry and Pat McNeil Foundation, Blanche Davis Moore Foundation, The Prichard Family Foundation, Margaret Sue Rust Foundation, Earl C. Sams Foundation, Trull Foundation, and Lawrence Wood Foundation, to benefit 22 charities.

These 22 charities fight hunger, support children, rescue animals and reduce homelessness all across the Coastal Bend. The economic downturn that began in 2008, while somewhat improved, continues. Charities receive increasing demands on their services, but many are seeing smaller donations.

The Coastal Bend Day of Giving provides a one-day opportunity for the 22 charities to raise badly needed funds and have gifts matched by the group described above -- up to $11,800 per charity. The Coastal Bend Day of Giving will provide much needed support for services as the holiday season begins. As a benefit to the donors, their contributions to favorite charities will be doubled. What it means for these 22 charities is the opportunity to receive up to $23,600 for the one-day Coastal Bend day of Giving.

To participate on Nov. 15, log on to www.coastalbenddayofgiving.org, a website available only on that day. There, you complete a few blanks, select your charity or charities, and make your donations using your credit or debit card ($10 minimum contribution).

Did you know the Food Bank of Corpus Christi can distribute 85 pounds of food in rural South Texas for $10? For $25, Corpus Christi Hope House can provide food for a week for a homeless mother and child. For $100, Foster Youth Life Investment partners can pay utilities for a month for a young adult. These are just a few examples of what your gifts can do in our communities. Giving together on Nov. 15, so much can be accomplished!

The Coastal Bend Day of Giving campaign is entirely online on Nov. 15, so please make your gifts at the website (www.coastalbenddayofgiving.org) so they can be matched.

On behalf of the thirteen matching funders, the 22 recipient charities, and those in need in the Coastal Bend, thank you for participating in the 2011 Coastal Bend Day of Giving.