Bountiful Harvest 2012

Details: 17 August 2012

I am happy to announce that on Sept. 9, Catholic Social Services will hold its annual "Bountiful Harvest Banquet" at the Hastings City Auditorium.

What started out as a potluck is now a major fundraiser which supports the activities of our office located in Hastings. This office currently serves individuals and families in the south central and the western parts of the diocese.

As many of you know, we are now in our new St. John Vianney Center located at 333 W. 2nd St. in downtown Hastings. Now that all of our services are consolidated into one convenient location, we are able to easily serve more individuals and families. The second floor is the site of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center Staffed by Dr. Eve Rosno and Heather McQuillan. This beautiful counseling center has a separate street entrance. The main level also with a separate entrance is the site of our social services and expanded food pantry. Next door and connected to the social services offices is our St. Joseph Gift & Thrift Store.

Last year, because of our generous donors, CSS assisted nearly 8,100 individuals and 2,100 families out of our new St. John Vianney Center in Hastings. A number of different ways including help with grants for counseling for those who lack health insurance or who are under-insured, rent and utility assistance, food, clothing and other emergency services. Our fixed and mobile food pantries have also expanded and are helping more individuals and families. Our sack lunch program, which is a collaborative program involving multiple denominations and organizations has expanding as well. Last year, more than 40,000 sack lunches were distributed to needy individuals out of the St. John Vianney Center.

Like previous years, there are multiple levels of sponsorship. Those who want to purchase individual tickets are also encouraged to do so. Our corporate sponsorship levels are Patron of Mercy at $2,500, Corporate at $1,000, Banquet at $600, and Table at $400. Individual tickets are $50. All proceeds will stay in the greater Hastings area to help individuals and families in need. The evening includes a social hour starting at 4:30 p.m. and the dinner program at 6 p.m. The entire event usually is over by 8 p.m. I would like to thank our many donors who are supporting us this year. Your support is vital and most appreciated!

This year we will be honoring Larry and Ronda Bonifas, who have been volunteering at CSS since March of 1999. They have done many things for the agency including sorting donations, testing appliances, fixing furniture and picking up donated items, working in our thrift store and much more. This is always one of the highlights of the program - honoring an individual or individuals who have been selfless in their love for Jesus who lives in the poor and needy. I hope that you can join us to thank them and to give honor, praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God for His abundant graces that has moved the minds and hearts of our generous donors. This generosity has allowed us to love Jesus Christ present in a special way in the poor and needy.