By April Boellstorff
Regional Director in Auburn,
Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
How do you explain a job that fills your heart to overflowing? When people ask what I do, words often fail me. How does one properly verbalize love? At Catholic Social Services, every day brings new reminders of what love is. It’s more than just a feeling—it’s action, compassion, and connection.
As St. Augustine said: “What does love look like? It has hands to help others. It has feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”
Working at CSS is a constant whirlwind of emotions —joy and sorrow, worry and hope—all intertwined. Love is the driving force, flowing from generous donors to our dedicated staff, through the helping hands of our volunteers, and ultimately to those in need.
Here’s a glimpse of what love looks like, as witnessed at CSS-Auburn and St. Francis Gift & Thrift in southeast Nebraska. Love is....
A 3-year-old helping in the food market by filling his own Little Tikes shopping cart.
An elderly widow asking what’s owed and hearing, “Not a thing. Enjoy!”
Fuel vouchers for out-of-town medical appointments.
Tears from the recipient of much needed financial assistance.
Crossing language barriers with smiles, laughter and Google Translate.
A parent thoughtfully choosing gifts for loved ones they otherwise couldn’t afford.
Local churches and organizations hosting donation drives for food and personal care items.
Sharing proud smiles with someone who overcame addiction, now successfully working.
Dedicated volunteers showing up to help each week and wanting nothing in return.
Meeting Jesus in the CSS chapel when you’ve never before been inside a church.
Providing housing assistance and housewares after a residential fire.
A voicemail from a client ending with, “I love you and am thankful for you!”
Receiving brand-new coats and gloves as winter weather arrives.
Delivering diapers for a child whose dad is passing away.
The urgency of a client needing a wheelchair, then seeing one being donated.
Receiving a holiday meal and sharing it.
Helping with car insurance and fuel for a young mom.
A child coloring while Mom shops for food, and proudly presenting the art to me.
A trailer of donations and a truck full of food.
Family and friends (often) volunteering with short notice. We love you!
Cleaning your home and generously donating your abundance.
The artful display of donated items.
Finding a childhood memory on a thrift store shelf.
Reassuring a new parent that we have diapers, thanks to the annual LDCCW diaper drive.
Getting a new volunteer!
When the doorbell rings at the same time each month, with a volunteer ready to deliver food to the homebound.
Explaining that a donor provided this because they care.
Providing new tires so a dad can make it safely to and from work.
A former client dropping off cake mixes: “Someone’s birthday is coming! Make it a good one!”
A mother’s lifelong care for her aging child with a disability.
A committed spouse showing up with his wife’s grocery list in hand, since her health is declining.
Sign language communication with a hearing-impaired client and never forgetting their love and gratitude.
Providing a “baby shower in a box,” complete with a handmade quilt.
A volunteer thanking us for allowing them to serve.
A business woman picking up food for an elderly friend who has dementia.
Checking up on a client, finding out they got a new job, and no longer need our services.
A client reaching out to share life moments.
Installing brand-new car seats for a family arriving with no child safety restraints, thanks to a local initiative and employees going above and beyond.
A sibling providing a ride and sticking around to say, “My sister really loves this place and all of you. Thank you for taking care of her.”
Love is being the hands and feet of Christ and seeing one another through His eyes. Look for love! It surrounds us, especially here in this place called CSS.
Love is a CSS team (at all locations), coming together alongside YOU to bring “Hope in the Good Life!”
