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August 12, 2025By Caitlin Burm
Gratitude in action—that’s the spirit behind the Catholic Foundation’s “Thankful Thursday” tradition. For more than four years, the Catholic Foundation has hosted bi-monthly Thankful Thursday events, where the Foundation and Diocese of Tucson Pastoral Center staff come together to donate their time to a local organization focused on the community’s needs.
From education to health and social service ministries, these Thankful Thursdays provide the opportunity to give back to those serving our communities. This summer’s Thankful Thursdays have benefitted two associations: The Salvation Army Amphi Corps and Youth Center in June 2025 and Catholic Community Services (CCS) of Southern Arizona’s Casa de Respiro this month.
The Salvation Army Amphi Corps Community Center provides adult and youth programs, food assistance, educational services and spiritual support to the Amphi/Flowing Wells neighborhood through a variety of community outreach initiatives and weekly activities. CCS’s Casa de Respiro is a Medical Respite Center that provides men and women experiencing homelessness with 24-hour care and support for healing from illness or injury, with the goal of reducing hospital readmissions and preventable deaths, and improving transitions to permanent housing.
Elizabeth Bollinger, Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation, said of the events,"Service uplifts us, reminding us that we are part of something greater than ourselves."
June 2025’s Thankful Thursday provided the Salvation Army Amphi Corps with 100 backpacks for students, which staff filled with school supplies. Captain Brent Church, Salvation Army Amphi Corps Officer, filled the backpacks alongside staff, which included Donal Drayne, Catholic Foundation employee and Salvation Army Advisory Board Member.
This month’s Thankful Thursday supported CCS’s Casa de Respiro and the men and women experiencing homelessness that they serve. Staff donated and put together 200 bags of basic essentials, which included clothing and hygiene products.
Bishop Gerald Kicanas led the assembly line this month, and continued working alongside CCS Executive Director of Philanthropy, Timothy Kromer, and staff, until all the bags had been filled. Bishop Kicanas then blessed the bags, which will be distributed to Casa de Respiro, to aid the unhoused.
Do you want to learn more about how you can make a difference? Consider visiting the Salvation Army in Tucson or the CCS Casa de Respiro websites to learn more about how you can donate and support their missions.