Catholic Charities Gainesville Regional Office offers many different programs in order to assist anyone who is in need, regardless of race or religion. Emergency Assistance, our food pantry provides food packages that are nutritionally balanced to meet the needs of each family or individual struggling with hunger. We also provide limited financial assistance for rent, mortgages, utilities and prescriptions Rural Mobile Outreach provides food and personal care items to help people in the five rural counties surrounding Gainesville who are unable to make a trip into town. Weekend Hunger Backpack Program is designed to supplement meals for children who depend on their school for breakfast and lunch. Backpacks are filled during the week to be taken home on Friday with enough food for the child and their siblings during the weekend every weekend of the school year. Bridges to Prosperity is one of our newer programs that was designed to find real solutions to help people overcome poverty, which is oftentimes generational. Clients will take a four-week financial training course and a 15-week poverty reflection course while partnering with a community ally who will help them accomplish the goals they set for themselves. Adoption Services provides assistance to all parties in the adoption process include education, guidance, information and referral, home studies, placement, post placement supervision, counseling and support. We offer assistance with post adoption information and with search services for birth and adoptive families Pregnancy (Caring Choices) provides services and advocacy for women experiencing unplanned pregnancies We assist, encourage, and empower women in making positive and life-affirming choices for themselves and their unborn child. Our experienced counselors provide referrals to community services and non-judgmental support