By Fr. Christopher Kubat
As many of you know, we have two sack lunch programs in the Diocese of Lincoln. Our first started in Hastings with the cooperation of other organizations and denominations. At our annual Bountiful Harvest Banquet in Hastings, which celebrates what CSS does in the greater Hastings area and beyond (including the western part of the diocese), I reported that last year around 40,000 sack lunches were distributed out of our Hastings office to poor and needy individuals and families. For those who are living paycheck to paycheck, imagine the savings if one meal a day is provided! Our second sack lunch program is up and running in Lincoln to the tune of 10,000 lunches last year.
Many of those who receive these meals are regular customers. Recently, in Hastings, a little 4-year-old girl, after receiving a lunch and holding it tightly with both hands, looked with her big innocent eyes at our receptionist Susan and said, “I love you!” Needless to say, Susan’s heart melted, like mine did when she told me about it.
Also recently, a middle-aged, developmentally disabled man with major trust issues came in for a sack lunch. He had heard of the program, garnered some courage, and decided he would take a chance. In addition to getting a lunch, he found our staff and volunteers warm, friendly and helpful. After a brief time he knew he could trust us. About the time he opened himself up to us, we noticed he had an orthopedic problem with one of his feet. It was serious enough that it was interfering with his walking. This was further concerning because he is without a car and unable to drive.
Because of his trust in us, we were able to make an appointment for him with a doctor, and connect him with a city-wide ride program for minimal cost for people such as him. As it turns out, this was an added blessing because others were taking advantage of him by overcharging him for rides in the city. The man was elated with the newfound independence and cost savings.
All of this happened because he came into our office for a lunch. Like the little 4-year-old girl who told our receptionist, “I love you,” he is most grateful for the charity he has received in our office.
I would like to thank all our volunteers who support our two sack lunch programs by their prayers, material and financial support. The financial support is vital too because occasionally we have run out of meat and have to purchase it. Others have purchased sandwich bread, which is a big help.
Our sandwich program in Hastings runs concurrently with our normal office hours Monday through Friday. The Lincoln program runs 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It has always been our dream to extend the Lincoln program to run concurrently during normal business hours like Hastings. God willing, with more resources and volunteers, we will be able to expand this program as well.
Please know that we at Catholic Social Services will keep you, your family and intentions in our prayers.
