The first day of the annual Catholic Charities went by Sunday with drive officials saying they are seeing signs the local economic resurgence is also showing up in gifts to the drive.
Organizers say that is important because many of the most active local past givers have retired or died and there is a need for new givers to step up and help meet community needs.
"We've brought in between $250,000 and 300,000 in new money," said Diocesan Director of Catholic Charities Sister Mary McCarrick.
"The reality of the Catholic Church as it is with most of the churches in Western New York is that it's an aging population and people are either becoming ill or dying, whatever. So, we're losing our biggest donors. It's the people who have already raised their kids and have the most discretionary money to give away."
This year's goal is $11 million, with nearly 60 percent in hand as the week-long drive continues.
Besides the changes in donors, Catholic Charities officials are also seeing changes in what it does to reflect the increasing numbers of refugees arriving here, with different languages and different needs.
