Catholic Charities helps move furniture for family in need

On Thursday, Nov. 4, Catholic Charities and local volunteers helped move unused furniture out of Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger’s former residence and into the home of a local family of 12 displaced by a fire. 

The former rectory of Holy Cross Church, located on Tudor Road in Albany, was purchased by the Diocese of Albany for Bishop Scharfenberger when he moved to the Capital District. In May, at Bishop Scharfenberger’s request, the Diocese put the residence on the real estate market and Bishop Scharfenberger moved into the rectory at the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany. 

Paul Ehmann, diocesan director of real property, reached out to Catholic Charities about the unused furniture at the location. The organization was thrilled to accept the donation and helped coordinate volunteers to move some of the house’s beds, tables, lamps and other household items.

Catholic Charities has already been working with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), a refugee resettlement program in Albany, to assist and support the family of 12 that had recently been displaced by a fire. 

Volunteers from CCMOVE and USCRI helped load the furniture and bring it to the family's new home. Extra furniture will be donated to CCMOVE clients, including a single mother and her 2-year-old daughter, and a 78-year-old woman and her adult son with special needs.