Recently, Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska conducted a furniture and appliance drive. Drives such as these are usually held on Friday afternoon/evenings and Saturday mornings until noon. Donors can donate to us by either personally dropping items off to one of our locations or by arranging a pre-arranged pick up by one of our staff or volunteers.
During these drives, I usually hang out at our main office/warehouse location which gives me a chance to thank those who bring donated items to us. It also gives me an opportunity to lift heavy objects rather than sitting behind my desk or behind the wheel of my car as I drive across the diocese. In addition, we usually provide delicious caloric items for our staff and volunteers such as pizza, cookies, donuts and bottled water. Then participating staff and volunteers have something to eat during and after the drive.
While waiting between drop-offs, several needy men who appeared homeless walked up to chat. They were grateful and surprised to be offered delicious piping hot pizza and freshly baked cookies followed by a cold bottled water chaser. They were even more grateful to leave with bicycles. They were most grateful, I believe, to have been treated with kindness, love and respect.
In our fund-raising mailers, I frequently ask first for the prayers and penances of our benefactors which are most important. Then I ask for material goods, items around the home not needed (this would include vehicles) and then lastly for a cash donation (according to the means of the donor). All of these things are vital to the running of this 80-year-old agency.
If I may, permit me to re-iterate the importance of material donations to Catholic Social Services. To the homeless men mentioned above, those bikes are akin to a car in that they will be able to get around town even to new places of employment like never before. If only the persons who donated them knew how important their donations were. If only all of our donors knew how important material donations are to the lives of poor and needy individual and families.
Items donated to us are either given away directly like the bikes mentioned above, or sold at a reduced cost in one of our four thrift stores (St. Francis in Auburn, St. Joseph in Hastings, St. Isidore in Hastings, and St. Louise in Lincoln). The proceeds are then used to fund our many programs like emergency services (rent and utility assistance etc.) or grants for counseling for those who are un-insured or underinsured.
Just days ago, I met with a woman who is in desperate need of counseling. She, like many wounded souls, does not have the insurance or means to afford our psychological services. Because of cash donations to CSS and proceeds from the sales of items in our thrift stores, she like those with insurance and the financial means will be able to receive services from us with a charitable grant.
Please let me take this opportunity to thank our benefactors once again not only for praying for us, but in addition to your financial support according to your means your material support as well, items around your home or farm not needed. Please be assured of our prayers for you, your families and intentions!
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