This past Lent, parishioners of St. Francis Xavier and St. Patrick Catholic Parishes, under the guidance of Father David Gaines, wished to donate their parishes Lenten almsgiving collections to a local nonprofit charity, the Anna Schindler Foundation (ASF). The founders and their family are parishioners of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

In 2011, the Anna Schindler Foundation was created in memory of the founders’ 7-year-old daughter, Anna Schindler, who battled with and passed away from Stage IV liver cancer. Since then, ASF has helped more than 400 families in the Inland Northwest fighting childhood cancer. Using their firsthand experience of having a child with cancer, ASF founders and staff provide support to families. They can be a listening ear and give financial support to assist with bills, including mortgage or rent, medical bills, groceries, lodging, travel, and even burial costs. Often one parent must take a leave of absence or quit working while their child receives treatment, resulting in financial strain.

The ASF also recently opened its first set of Anna’s Homes. These two townhomes are specifically designed for immune-compromised patients undergoing cancer treatment. Sitting on Spokane’s South Hill just minutes from Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, Anna’s Homes provide a "home away from home" for families required to travel long distances to Sacred Heart and who must stay close to the hospital for their child’s treatment. These homes allow the entire family to stay together regardless of size, length of treatment, or income.

Each week during Lent it was suggested to provide alms to ASF in different ways, including saying prayers and lighting vigil candles, providing gift cards, buying dry or canned food items for Anna’s Homes, or giving monetary donations. St. Francis Xavier and St. Patrick’s parishioners’ generosity exceeded $3,100 in gift cards and donations, including stocking the pantries of Anna’s Homes. ASF was also able to give groceries to several needy diagnosed families. ASF is so blessed with this support to help our childhood cancer families.