ABCD 2026: Have you made your pledge yet?

By Cristina Cabrera Jarro -

Photography: Maria Alejandra Rivas | FC

MIAMI | Have you made a pledge to this year’s Archbishop’s Charities and Development Drive (ABCD) yet? The 2026 ABCD campaign is past its halfway mark, and the Archdiocese of Miami still needs your help to reach its $12.5 million goal.

• Stay connected to your Catholic community — subscribe to our newsletter

With more than one million Catholics from all walks of life attending 109 parishes and missions throughout the archdiocese, everyone can make an impact by contributing to their parish’s goal. Every gift, whether it is $20 offered with sacrifice or $10,000 given from abundance, matters.

“The focus should not be on how much people can give but rather the importance of everyone playing their part in advancing the mission and coming together as a universal church to support the work beyond the walls of their particular parish,” said Katie Blanco Bourdeau, president of the Archdiocese of Miami Development Corporation.

The ABCD helps support the operations of the archdiocese by providing assistance to parishes, schools, ministries, agencies, priests, religious communities, the poor, immigrants and many others.

At the time of writing, 47 of the 109 parishes and missions of the Archdiocese of Miami had received pledges that would help them meet their individual ABCD goals. Of those, 19 parishes had already met their goals and collected the pledged funds. Overall, more than $11 million has been collected.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski joined volunteers at the Matthew 25 Food Pantry on Aug. 15, 2026, at its warehouse at 14205 SW 142nd Ave. in Miami. Though it was the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the archbishop took time to help during a morning food distribution at the pantry, which takes place twice a month on Saturdays throughout the year.

Matthew 25 is operated by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, Inc., and provides food to more than 1,300 households in Miami-Dade County.

“His visit in August was a meaningful continuation of the Archdiocese of Miami’s commitment to addressing food insecurity,” said Iani Carvalho, senior director of Nutrition and Senior Services for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, Inc.

A small film crew was also present to capture footage of the archbishop and Matthew 25 in action for the 2027 ABCD campaign video. As the cameras rolled, so did the carts and wagons pulled by recipients as they entered the warehouse in an orderly manner to receive their donations. Matthew 25 volunteers filled their bags with various goods, and Archbishop Wenski also got to work, handing out jars of peanut butter and canned frosting.

“Our team was moved to see him roll up his sleeves and work shoulder-to-shoulder with the volunteers, reinforcing for everyone that this ministry matters at the highest levels of the Archdiocese of Miami,” said Carvalho.

She noted that many individuals in line for assistance recognized the archbishop.

“Some approached to greet him personally and ask for his blessing, which created some truly touching moments amid the distribution,” said Carvalho.

Later, Archbishop Wenski joined volunteers working in the outdoor area of the warehouse, where he handed out bottles of water and bread — a food precious to Catholics and a universal symbol of sustenance and charity.

For years, donations to the ABCD campaign have helped feed families and individuals in need. The ABCD has also helped educate seminarians who went on to become priests; support expectant mothers who could not afford prenatal and postnatal care; educate children in faith and academics; assist lonely older adults; and provide legal services to working immigrants seeking to make the United States their permanent home.

There are many more stories of people in need, but without the continued support of Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Miami, those needs cannot be met.

As Archbishop Wenski reminded the faithful in the 2026 ABCD appeal video, “God calls us to pause, to listen to the conviction that starts from within, and challenges us to look outward at the needs of our neighbor. By donating to the ABCD, you are answering that call and bringing hope to the most vulnerable in our communities.”

He reminded the faithful that as a Church, our mission is to serve, “not from a distance, but from the heart,” and encouraged all to “do good and seek peace together.”

Support Archbishop's Charities and Development Drive

• To donate to the ABCD, please visit https://adomdevelopment.org/abcd/support-abcd/