By Fr. Kenneth Borowiak
for the Register
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS) knows well the meaning of the familiar idiom: “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
CSS provides a myriad of services and support systems to individuals and families. It operates a food market and meal services for those with food insecurity. CSS provides immigration legal services, refugee resettlement services, St. Gianna Homes for Women, a prison and re-entry apostolate, and a host of other outreaches and ministries. Yet many people, including Catholics, are not aware of or do not understand the comprehensive breadth of the work of Catholic Social Services.
One of the most visible and used outreaches of CSS is the thrift store program operated by the Catholic charitable organization. CSS operates four thrift stores. They are located in separate regions of the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln: in Auburn, Hastings, Imperial and Lincoln. Donations accepted include household items such as kitchen utensils, flatware, dishes and furniture, as well as clothing and a variety of other things that can be repurposed, reused or recycled.
Soliciting and accepting usable donations assists not only those who use the items. It also promotes biblical based stewardship and the protection of the earth. When items are donated to be repurposed, the exchange highlights the subjective nature of value and worth of usable items, encourages recycling and reusing items instead of discarding them, reflects the idea of finding beauty or utility in overlooked things, promotes the concept of thriftiness and creativity in repurposing, and fosters charitable action in the community by providing items to people in need or to those who can use them.
‘Regift, Resell, Recycle’
Catholic Social Services works to assist people and families in being self-sufficient and sustainable. CSS even has a sustainability department with the tagline “Regift, Resell, Recycle,” which governs the entire lifecycle of a donation to CSS.
The process covers everything from initial drop-offs at one of the thrift stores, the Lincoln Donation Center or various donation trailers and textile bins located throughout the Diocese of Lincoln. There are bins in Lincoln, Ceresco, Holdrege, Minden, Wahoo and Wilber, and regional collection bins at Holy Trinity Church in Blue Hill, St. Anne in Doniphan, St. John the Baptist in Minden, St. Mary in Orleans and Sacred Heart in Red Cloud. CSS is also adding bins at St. Mary in Aurora and St. Joseph in Giltner by the end of April. In addition, donation trailers are regularly positioned at different parishes throughout southern Nebraska.
Catholic Social Services can provide items at no cost to clients when they are transitioning to a new home or have suffered a tragedy such as a fire. Funds obtained through the sale of donated items are then used by CSS as needed, to serve clients with other aids such as food, personal care, diapers, financial assistance, gift cards and a host of other services.
In some communities, like Auburn, the St. Francis Thrift Store is one of the only sources in the area that sells or provides furniture, which is in frequent demand. Other big sellers are household items such as bedding, blankets, towels, kitchenware and decor.
When someone donates an item to CSS, it goes through two sorting procedures. During the initial evaluation, items are placed in bins – dividing clothing, for example, from flatware. In the second sorting, volunteers take a closer look to at each item to make sure it is in good condition. Anything with rips or stains, in need of repair or missing pieces, is recycled, if possible. Items deemed usable are cleaned, priced and brought to the store floor to sell.
Resell
A common misconception is that thrift stores are only for those in real need, or even just for Catholics. Katie Patrick, executive director of Catholic Social Services, emphasized that the four thrift stores across southern Nebraska are for anyone and everyone. The proceeds from thrift store sales allow CSS to fund its other multiple services.
CSS has embarked on ventures to encourage shoppers and volunteers. One means of helping market donated items is the “Thrift and Sip” at St. Louise Gift & Thrift in Lincoln, which was designed to appeal to nontraditional volunteers. The opportunity appeals to those who do not presently have time to commit to ongoing volunteer work, and it’s something they can do with friends. Groups are provided wine and snacks while they help hang clothing on Monday evening, the day before the thrift store’s monthly 50% off sale. They are also encouraged to purchase items. So far, CSS has welcomed women from Crete, Steinauer, and Cathedral and St. Joseph parishes in Lincoln.
An additional way of attracting customers to patronize St. Louise thrift store is the “Thrift Crawl.” The Thrift Crawl is a Lincoln initiative involving about a dozen thrift stores in Lincoln. Shoppers who visit each store receive a stamp in a thrift store “passport.” The program is a way for people to participate in community wide events that bring attention to the second-hand market.
E-commerce
Catholic Social Services also uses the Internet to market donations. Four years ago, CSS established an e-commerce program to help sell donated items. Donated items are marketed through long-established and respected practices on key platforms for e-commerce, such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, Poshmark and Depop.
CSS has invested significant time, energy and focus, to ensure the e-commerce program remains mission-driven and client-centric. There is a process of photographing, shelving, listing and shipping items, as well as a robust inventory management system to keep thousands of items organized and categorized.
CSS offers one-business-day shipping and has more than 2,000 satisfied customers who have ordered and received items—in almost every one of the United States, and in 15 countries around the world. Find links to its different options here: https://linktr.ee/cssnebraska.
Recycle
More than 93 percent of items donated to CSS find new life, either through the thrift stores, e-commerce, resold to third-party brokers, or recycled properly.
Even clothing items that are not suited for the thrift stores or ecommerce are set aside by CSS. They bale that clothing and sell it to others who give new life to those items. They can be used to make insulation, industrial rags, or sent to markets abroad for other uses.
How you can help sustain ‘Hope in the Good Life’
> By Shopping:
A common misconception is that the CSS thrift stores are only available for those in need, or even just for Catholics. Katie Patrick, executive director of Catholic Social Services, emphasized that the four thrift stores across southern Nebraska are for anyone and everyone. The proceeds from thrift store sales—and online sales—allow CSS to fund its many other services.
> By Donating:
Catholic Social Services is always in need of donations to rotate inventory and keep the store shelves and online listings fresh! There are some items CSS cannot accept. Learn more at: https://csshope.org/cssdonationcenter.
> By Getting Involved:
Volunteering is another great way to support the mission of CSS. Cleaning donations is just one way to share one’s time and talent to help take donations straight to the sales floor. CSS is always looking for volunteers and their contributions are greatly appreciated. Volunteering at CSS is often a hub for retirees. Some volunteers spend 20-30 hours per week and are upwards of 90 years old but one-time options are also available. All interested volunteers can go through an online volunteer process for their region. Learn more at: https://csshope.org/what_you_can_do/volunteer.html.
Courtesy photos
