By Miranda Schumacher
Development Officer at CSS Hastings
Our vision at Catholic Social Services is to inspire hope and love in every encounter. We’re here to help our neighbors, like Annette, who come to us in their most challenging times yet are so grateful for the assistance they receive. We’re here thanks to many of you, our partners in hope, because of your past support through Give Hastings Day.
In the fall of 2024, the Open Table Sack Lunch Program, an ecumenical coalition seeking to feed the hungry with compassion and companionship, officially became part of Catholic Social Services. We are grateful to continue the long-standing tradition of feeding the hungry through Open Table, and we are proud to share that every dollar donated to CSS on Give Hastings Day will go directly to support our Open Table Sack Lunch Program!
While numbers help tell the story of Open Table’s impact, the true heart of the program lies in the personal connections made each day.
Every afternoon, Rosa picks up children from school—sometimes as many as six—and cares for them until their parents return home from work. Before heading to their homes, the kids always ask to stop by Catholic Social Services to pick up sack lunches. They genuinely enjoy the meals, and for many of them, it’s the most substantial food they’ll have until dinner. Rosa shared that the lunches are a vital part of their day, filling a gap that might otherwise go unmet.
After suffering an injury that left her unable to work full-time, Diane lost her job and now only manages to work a few hours each week. With limited income, affording groceries has become a daily struggle. She turns to Catholic Social Services for a sack lunch nearly every day—often her only reliable meal.
Robert has recently faced a number of challenges. With the rising cost of groceries and a reduction in his benefits, he now relies on Catholic Social Services for sack lunches several times a week. On top of these hardships, Robert was recently the victim of financial scams, losing a significant amount of money. Yet despite everything, he continues to greet our volunteers with kindness and gratitude. His cheerful spirit, even in the face of adversity, is a reminder of the resilience and dignity of those we serve.
Our volunteers witness the humanity behind every meal served. Mary, one of our dedicated volunteers, shared, “You know, those who come here really need it, and they are so appreciative! I once had a mother of young children in tears because she couldn’t believe what we had given her.” Another volunteer, Bill, has come to know many of our clients by name. He notices when someone is missing, and checks in with them when they return, making sure they’re doing okay. These personal encounters are at the core of our mission—to not only feed the hungry but to see them, know them, and care for them as Christ calls us to.
We couldn’t perform these works of mercy without the hundreds of people in our community who generously give their time, talents, and treasure. Many neighbors trust us in their hour of need, and because of your donations and prayers, we can lift them up physically, financially, and spiritually.
Although Give Hastings Day is May 1, there’s no need to wait to make your gift. Make your gift now at csshope.org/GHD. If giving online isn’t your preference, we’ve got you covered. You can mail or drop off your gift through April 30 at Hastings Community Foundation, 800 W. 3rd Street, Suite 232, Hastings, NE 68901 (second floor of the Heritage Bank building). On May 1, you can drop them off at Give Hastings Day headquarters (The Lark- 809 W. 2nd Street). Checks must be made payable to Hastings Community Foundation with “Catholic Social Services” in the memo field.
We and our Hastings/Adams County neighbors in need are grateful for your continued support of Nourishing Hope in the Good Life through Give Hastings Day. Thank you, and may God bless you abundantly!
