More Rochesterians are requesting help from Catholic Charities to heat their homes this winter because of the long periods of bitterly cold weather we've experienced in recent months.

Bishop of the Rochester Catholic Diocese Salvatore Matano is asking for more donations to meet the increased demand.

Diocesan spokesperson Doug Mandelaro says area churches will have a second collection at upcoming services.

“(Bishop Matano) has asked our parishes to take up this second collection sometime over the next few weeks, to promote it, and to ask people to bring their checkbooks. Just to help the poor, the vulnerable, those who are financially struggling, trying to help them make ends meet in this very cold winter. “

Catholic Charities uses both charitable funds and money from the federally-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help 250 thousand people of all faiths each year.