WORCESTER, Mass. - Worcester bishop Robert McManus awarded several grants Monday to local organizations in an effort to fight poverty in the area.

McManus handed out a total of 17 grants totaling $21,000. The funds come from the local portion of the annual Catholic Campaign for Human Development collection taken up in 2022. It's the anti-poverty campaign of the country's catholic bishops.

Thirteen of the grants are for $1,000 each and will help housing and hunger programs at local nonprofits like Bucky’s Food Pantry, catholic charities and Pernet Family Health Services.

"I always found the catholic people, the people here in the Diocese of Worcester, are very generous,” McManus said. “And it’s just, the work that is done here in the Diocese of Worcester is very good work, fulfilling Jesus' command to take care of those less fortunate than us."

"Well, this means so much to us to be acknowledged by the Catholic Campaign for Human Developments,” said Sheilah Dooley, executive director of Pernet Family Health Service. “Every penny goes a long way in providing these services, so we are very grateful to the diocese."

The diocese says a portion of their collections money is also used for nationally distributed grants.