On Sunday, Feb. 20, Catholic Social Services celebrated its 24th Celebration of Caring Banquet, where we awarded our good shepherd Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz the Cor Christi award while giving him a beautiful statue of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. In his remarks, Bishop Bruskewitz said he accepted the award in the name of the people of southern Nebraska because of their charity. During the program part of the evening, I had the opportunity to share what the faithful of the Diocese of Lincoln have accomplished through Catholic Social Services and what is new.
Last year by the grace of God and the generosity of the faithful, Catholic Social Services provided $1.6 million of direct services to nearly 24,000 individuals and approximately 14,000 families across southern Nebraska. Some of the highlights include nearly $90,000 in clinical grants to nearly 200 clients who were non-insured or under-insured; nearly $87,000 in emergency services to needy individuals and families; over $115,700 in rent and utility assistance to our transitional housing clients; $755,609 in food was given away including $353,231 for our St. Andrew Mobile Pantry in Ashland, Auburn, Crete, David City, Falls City, Geneva, Fairbury, Hebron, Tecumseh, Wahoo, Seward, Superior, Sutton, Harvard, Holdrege, Orleans and Imperial; 33,067 sack lunches were distributed in Hastings (an increase of nearly 40%); $157,883 was utilized for 106 refugees; 19 vehicles were given to clients at a value of $19,000; $80,000 in material items were given away from our thrift stores (including furniture, appliances, houseware, kitchenware, etc); and $50,000 in personal care items, school supplies, diapers and more were distributed to needy families. Also, through our backpack program (a collaborative effort with Lincoln Food Bank, Open Table in Hastings, and Hastings College) 169 students in Lincoln and Hastings are given a pantry in a backpack - enough food for the weekend.
In addition, we are elated that our social service staff in Hastings (and soon our clinical staff) has moved into their new home, named after St. John Vianney, located on 333 W 2nd Ave. This is the new site for our social services, food pantry (on the first floor) and the clinical department (on the second floor with a separate entrance). Instead of paying rent for three separate locations, we now own a single larger site. The monies saved will allow us to assist even more individuals in south central Nebraska.
I am also pleased to announce that our new St. Isidore Gift & Thrift Store in Imperial is doing so well that we now are using the proceeds from the store to help even more needy individuals and families out west.
We are blessed to report that after moving to a beautiful new location in Auburn, the Orscheln Farm and Home Store has given us their old building - which is conveniently located next to our St. Francis Gift & Thrift Store. Just weeks after celebrating our seventh anniversary in Auburn, we will be able to expand. After a needed renovation, we will soon have social and clinical service offices, increased warehousing and thrift store floor space and most importantly a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament.
By taking the remarks of Bishop Bruskewitz farther, by the grace of God, these are the accomplishments of the faithful of southern Nebraska and for this we are most grateful. Please know we will continue to keep you, your families and intentions in our daily prayers!
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