The president and CEO of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis put out a plea to supporters March 16 for donations and volunteers to meet financial costs of protecting the homeless, elderly, disabled, children and families from spread of the coronavirus and to help keep things running at shelters, kitchens and social service sites.

“As one of the state’s largest providers of emergency services to those most in need, COVID-19 is stretching us beyond our capacity.” Tim Marx said. “We are turning to each of you and the broader community to be ‘our helpers.'”

Catholic Charities already has spent $50,000 to follow local and federal health guidelines to keep clients, staff and volunteers safe, he said. That includes cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, personal protective gear and thermometers.

“As the pandemic progresses, we expect operation costs to reach $500,000 per month due to substantial additional demands on us, putting added pressure on staffing, food, security and other essential operating resources,” he said.

In addition to monetary donations, Catholic Charities needs hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes, which can be delivered to its distribution center at 341 Chester St. in St. Paul, Marx said. Volunteers are needed to step in at direct service sites or behind the scenes making sandwiches or sorting donations, particularly if people become ill, he said.

Marx also urged people to contact state lawmakers and ask them to include critical services for the homeless as part of Minnesota’s COVID-19 emergency response package.

“Thank you for helping,” Marx said, “however you can.”