By TRACEY DRURY
tdrury@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1609

Catholic Charities of Buffalo kicked off its annual appeal today with hopes of repeating last year's success.

The human services provider set a goal of $10.6 million for the 2012 Appeal.

That's the same amount raised last year, when the organization topped its goal for the first time in four years, generating cash and pledges $100,000 higher than its $10.5 million goal.

This year's theme is "Protect. Strengthen. Empower." The appeal helps fund more than 70 programs at 61 sites across the eight-county region, including counseling for individuals, adults and families, mental health clinics, food pantries and job readiness programs. Last year, Catholic Charities provided assistance to more than 140,000 people of all faiths.

Founded in 1923, Catholic Charities also provides, without regard to religious affiliation, comprehensive counseling services for children and families, anti-domestic violence programming and emergency services, among other social and mental health services.

Appeal Week 2012 will take place March 25 through April 1, with the campaign continuing through June 30, the end of the fiscal year. This year's chairman is David Nasca, president and CEO of Evans Bancorp Inc. Other members of the leadership team include Stephen Ulrich, vice chair and parish and large gifts chair; Anthony Delmonte Jr., corporate gifts chair; and Beth Mattimore, community division chair.