- 6107 N. Kenmore Ave, Ste. 5, Chicago IL 60660
- 812.923.6356
- aafsap@aol.com
Our history of helping those in need dates back to 1898, when the friars of the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua, Italy instituted the first charitable organization to distribute bread, firewood and clothing to the poor.
Gradually, a new idea of charity began to evolve among the friars, a charity aimed at relieving victims of natural disasters or victims of social and political crises. Immediate, simple assistance was with time replaced by development projects, and national charitable projects gradually extended beyond Italian national borders.
Following our Christian beliefs, the Franciscan Friars are committed to working with the world’s most needy regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.
We exist to show a caring face to a hurting world. We believe that as Christians and Franciscans, we have a responsibility to reach out to these people and make a difference. Our emphasis is with those in greatest need – but we go far beyond providing just financial resources.
We focus on capacity building that helps those in need to become thriving, sustainable communities, and families. Our vision is to work with people in need to help them find a way to solve their dilemmas.
Charity Beyond National Borders
Every year the Franciscan Friars award grants to facilitate people’s development to the point where they are empowered to take care of themselves. To this end, we provide support to those religious brothers, sisters, and other nonprofit organizations that work with the poorest of the poor (domestically and worldwide) to meet their basic human needs.
We fund sustainable projects that provide children with adequate care and value-based education, youth with employment opportunities, and women with means to gain social and economic empowerment; and work closely together with other organizations in order to build a just, hopeful, and sustainable society.
You have our assurance that projects are thoroughly vetted before funding approval. We exercise due diligence to ensure that grantees are in compliance with specific legal and regulatory rules.
Sr. Sofia Lee, of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi, has been serving as the Director of Sacred Heart Retreat Center since 2017.
She arrived at the Center (located on fifteen acres of rugged land with lots of outcrops) armed with a strong desire to proclaim the word of God and commitment to providing much needed programs to indigent families living in the vast, mostly rural Diocese of Gallup, New Mexico.
Doing God’s work means helping them create new dreams and hopes for themselves and their families, culture and futures. (Click here to continue reading)
St. Anthony’s Charities – U.S.A. Our 2024 Projects
Access to food pantry for individuals with severe physical disabilities
USA - Basilica of St Josaphat
Support the initial Formation of personal & spiritual development of student-Friars
USA - Franciscan Postulancy Program
Support Franciscan Friars working around the world to empower others
USA - St Bonaventure Province
Share St Anthony's Gospel of Hope with our bothers & sisters
INDIA - St Maximilian Kolbe Province
Help new priests deepen their theological understanding as Franciscans in service to the Church
KENYA - St Francis of Assisi Province
Help curb hunger by offering foodstuffs to those in need who escaped war
LEBANON - St. Francis of Assisi Friary
Build a Community Center to provide services for those rebuilding after devastating floods
EQUADOR - Fucame -Ocame NGO
Respond to the needs of families who need assistance while love ones are undergoing surgery
MADAGASCAR - Fondation Medicale d'Ampasimanjeva
Save lives by offering at-risk youths a safe home, regular meals, and medical care
INDIA - Congregation of the Sisters of the Cross
Empower incarcerated women with job training before they return to society
BOLIVIA - Taller Solidario
Respond to the needs of many elderly who need care due to poverty and illness
MEXICO - Daughters of Mercy
Provide potable water to hospital patients and nearby farm laborers and their families
UGANDA - Bannabikira Sisters -Daughters of Mary
Provide potable water to students and nearby families
KENYA - Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph
Save the lives of young children who suffer from severe malnutrition and from typhus and malaria
MAURITANIA - Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul
Reduce child malnutrition and mortality by providing daily meals
ZAMBIA - St Theresa Mission
Provide a safe place for students who are dealing with social isolation due to poverty and domestic violence
ITALY - Oasi Francescana de Lilla Center
Give needy preschool children proper education and nutritious meals and a chance for success in life
PARAGUAY - Marcellino Pan y Vino Center
