Catholic Social Services held its ‘first annual’ “St. Francis Summer’s Eve Celebration” June 28 at the Whiskey Run Creek Winery in Brownville. Since our St. Francis Center in Auburn has grown significantly and has become a hub benefiting the entire southeastern region of the diocese, we thought it was high time to hold an annual banquet to benefit the entire southeast. Instead of a dinner banquet, we decided on wine and hors d’oeuvres.
During the event, I shared some incredible statistics. Since 2006, we have provided cash assistance for transportation, rent/utility bills, medical bills, etc., totaling $238,361 throughout southeast Nebraska. So far this year, the food pantry in Auburn has served 299 families, representing a total of 9,753 meals served. Since 2009, we have provided 515,092 pounds of food with a value of $870,505. Since 2000, we have provided Clinical Charity Grants in Auburn, Nebraska City, Falls City and Beatrice totaling $126,973.
Since opening in 2006, St. Francis Gift & Thrift has provided nearly $52,000 in vouchers to the needy. In addition, St. Francis Gift & Thrift has also generated $336,217 for our emergency services and clinical services. Since beginning to offer services in Auburn and southeastern Nebraska in 2000, we have provided $1,287,681 in assistance throughout the area.
I would like to thank Almighty God for His graces, the Blessed Virgin Mary, for her powerful intercession, St. Francis for his intercession as our patron saint, Ron Heskett for opening the winery to us and to Marge Wenzel and Marie Schmit for providing delicious, mouthwatering, and beautifully presented hors d’oeuvres.
In addition, I would also like to thank our corporate sponsors, our planning committee members, the volunteer staff and anyone who helped in any way the night of the event. And we are grateful to those who donated the items that were on our silent auction.
Lastly, I would like to thank all who attended. St. Francis, pray for us!
