By April Boellstorff
Regional Director in Auburn, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
I often find myself reflecting on the profound words of our executive director, Katie Patrick: “One of the most powerful moments is when someone who once came to us in need becomes the one giving back. That transformation from receiving to becoming help is at the heart of everything we do.”
A recent Friday perfectly illustrated this cycle of grace. Our regular delivery from the Food Bank of Lincoln arrived with an unexpected addition: three massive pallets of fresh produce and baked goods, each stacked taller than I am! While we never want to refuse an abundance of food for our community, the unpredictable timing and quantity of recovered goods make it a constant challenge to ensure we have enough hands to process the items.
I was fortunate to have “Sue,” a hardworking new volunteer needing service hours, helping me that day. Seeing the size of the delivery, we knew it would take hours to finish. I called in my husband—my loyal “sidekick”—and my son before they headed out of town. I felt like a criminal of their time for asking, but the need for extra help was undeniable.
We rolled up our sleeves and tackled the heaps of day-old randomness: perfectly good produce mixed with the bruised, beautiful cakes with slight flaws, spilled berries, and squashed bread. We worked tirelessly to clean, sort, and salvage every “imperfectly perfect” item for our clients.
Although we are typically closed on Fridays, I made an exception for Mandy, a single mother from a distant town who had missed her appointment due to car issues. I’ve walked with her long enough to know she needs our visits as much as the food. She often arrives exhausted, balancing the reality of maintaining employment while ensuring her beautiful autistic, nonverbal child receives necessary support. It is a privilege to offer her a moment of respite. Her hands are full, and we try to keep her heart the same way.
When she arrived, I apologized for the chaotic state of the pantry, but she was simply grateful to be there. Mandy shopped between the pallets, delighting in the fresh items for her children. After loading her car, she returned her cart with a shy request: “I have a little time before I need to pick up my kids, and I never knew how much work this all is! Would it be allowed for me to stay and help?”
I smiled, realizing God had provided hands desiring to serve at the exact moment they were most needed. This was the transformation Katie Patrick spoke of: the beautiful shift from receiving to becoming help. I turned to my husband and son and told them they were “relieved of duty.” My mother-in-law had recently entered hospice care, and they truly had a better place to be. Mandy, Sue, and I chatted as we worked, getting to know each other in a new way. It didn’t feel like work; it felt like love.
Shortly after that day, my dear mother-in-law Kay passed away. She, too, had a better place to be. I reflected on her life—she was quirky, fun, servant-hearted, and had overflowing, contagious joy. Even in her final months, when cancer took her ability to walk, she remained remarkably positive. When I asked how she stayed so joyful, she replied, “With my family being so supportive and God by my side, how can I not be?”
Kay always wore a “WWJD” ring—a constant reminder that she truly did have God by her side. She lived with a level of faith and gratitude that naturally spilled over into the lives of others. It was that same kind of joy I witnessed in the pantry: a joy passed to Mandy, which she immediately returned.
May we all radiate the contagious joy of Christ within us!
National Volunteer Week occurred during my bereavement leave, offering another moment to reflect on these cycles of service. The staff and volunteers who stepped in were a genuine gift. They allowed my family the precious time we needed, reminding me that even those of us who are usually the givers must occasionally experience the humbling grace of receiving.
“We may not be able to give much, but we can always give the joy that springs from a heart filled with love.”
- St. Teresa of Calcutta
