THE LATEST UPDATES FROM

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES OF SOUTHERN NEBRASKA

Don't miss an evening of fellowship and HOPE IN THE GOOD LIFE! Our 2025 Bountiful Harvest event will feature social time, a wonderful meal, and much more.

One highlight of our evening will be the presentation of the 2025 LOVE OF CHRIST AWARD to Lanetta Kellogg. Each year at our annual Bountiful Harvest Banquet, we recognize someone who is deeply connected to the mission of Catholic Social Services and who exemplifies the Love of Christ. This year, we are proud to honor one of our long-standing volunteers - Lanetta!

For 15 years, Lanetta has lived out the Works of Mercy through her tireless service in our food pantry, keeping it organized and stocked so CSS can continue to provide food for the hungry. When asked about her “why,” she shared:

“We are doing God’s work. The Bible says feed the hungry, and we are doing more than just that. People have lots of needs. I have been there myself. I remember having my husband and two kids at home and just one can of tomato soup and crackers in the cupboard.”

Lanetta embodies what it means to serve with a Christ-like heart—giving back, lifting others up, and spreading HOPE in the Good Life!

🎧Want to hear more of Lanetta’s story? Tune in to our Hope in the Good Life podcast, featuring her inspiring journey!

180 with Katie is a fast-paced, three-minute podcast from Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska. Each month, Executive Director Katie Patrick and Development Officer John Soukup share uplifting highlights of how CSS is making a Hope in the Good Life difference across 24,000 square miles of southern Nebraska. From volunteer stories to thrift store updates, to the impact of family support programs, it’s a quick dose of hope and inspiration you won’t want to miss!

Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS) invites you to a special gathering on Tuesday, October 21, at 7:00 p.m. at our Lincoln office (2241 O St.). This evening is for anyone interested in learning more about how their generosity can continue to bring Hope in the Good Life for years to come. Enjoy a piece of pie and coffee during this event! 

When someone makes the decision to remember CSS in their estate plan, they become part of our Legacy of Hope Society—a community of donors whose vision and kindness help ensure that our mission continues for future generations.

At this event, a Planned Giving Officer from the Catholic Foundation of Southern Nebraska will introduce important planning tools you can use to benefit the charities you care about. Among them is a “Charitable Wealth Transfer Plan”. This unique and novel tool allows you to:

While it is important to have a will or trust, a Charitable Wealth Transfer Plan enables you to leave a gift to CSS after your death, often without having to update your current will or trust, meet with an attorney, or incur legal fees.  Unlike a will, a Charitable Wealth Transfer Plan may be modified at any time and at no cost, making it a simple, flexible, cost-effective, and smart way to leave a gift to support the charities you care about.  It ensures that your charitable intentions are honored and carried out exactly as you wish, providing peace of mind that your gifts to CSS will continue to have a lasting impact.

We warmly invite you to join us, learn, and ask questions about how you can create a legacy of hope through thoughtful and faith-filled giving.

Your legacy can change lives—today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

Sarah Leon

“Every person is Christ to me, that’s why, since there is only one Jesus, that person is the only person to me at that moment.” - St. Mother Teresa, Pray for us!

Hello, my name is Sarah Leon, and I am the new Client Relations Specialist here at the Lincoln offices. What St. Mother Teresa teaches about how we should treat each human person as if it were Christ Himself you were encountering, is the essence of how I can do my job well. I love working at the front desk and having the opportunity to first encounter people and show them the merciful face of Jesus.  Whether we're assisting clients with paperwork or providing hygiene bags to those experiencing homelessness, each interaction is a chance to offer a listening ear and a joyful smile. For me, this embodies "Hope in the Good Life"—paying attention to small details and trusting that no small act goes unnoticed by God.

Before this role, I served for two years as a FOCUS missionary. That transformative experience of serving as a missionary, who goes out and shares the Gospel, the Good News of our inherent purpose and what we were ultimately created for, was, without exaggeration, an absolutely life-changing journey for me.

This period of my life was instrumental in solidifying my convictions, expanding my empathy, and providing an unparalleled perspective on the universal human longing for purpose and connection. I have found that the essence of being a missionary lies not in geographical distance, but in the intentionality of every interaction. Although my job title has changed, my heart is still on mission, and it has been such a blessing to be able to share Christ’s love here at CSS. 

Imagine this: you’re living paycheck to paycheck as a single parent with bills piling up. Then your car breaks down, and your daughter needs new clothes for school. You hear Catholic Social Services might be able to help, so you come to our door seeking assistance with your utility bill, hoping to use the rest of your paycheck for car repairs. You receive financial support and a gift card to our thrift store for your daughter’s clothes. Then you hear these words:

“Can we help you with anything else? Do you need toilet paper or dish soap? We have toothbrushes. What do you need?”

Can you imagine the relief? Those small but essential items that often stretch a budget—we can take care of them, so you can focus on getting back on your feet.

That’s why we are launching our Personal Care Item Drive across Hastings and the surrounding area. Our goal is to fill our office with personal hygiene and cleaning products, ensuring that every client we serve has access to basic necessities they may not even realize they’re missing.

Churches across Hastings have generously agreed to host donation bins for these items, making it easy for members to contribute. In addition, our friends at Pacha Soap have partnered with us by donating quality inventory they cannot sell in-store. Their generosity means leftover products will go to good use, helping us perform the Works of Mercy and support our neighbors in need.

At Catholic Social Services, we believe every person deserves to be treated with dignity and care. Relieving the burden of purchasing shampoo, deodorant, or laundry soap might seem small, but for someone struggling to make ends meet, it can lift a tremendous weight and restore a sense of dignity.

If you would like to participate in our Personal Care Item Drive, please bring donations to our CSS Hastings office at 333 W. 2nd St. Items most needed include: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, pads, tampons, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dish soap, laundry detergent, and household cleaners.

Together, we can provide more than assistance—we can offer dignity, comfort, and hope.

Held in memory of long-time CSS advocate Tony Messineo, the 29th annual CSS Memorial Golf Classic & Auction was again a fun-filled day. The tourney took place on September 15th at Hillcrest Country Club in Lincoln, and thank you to our sponsors, donors, and golfers for “chippin’ in” to make our golf tourney a successful event. Here are the results of the tournament: 

Be watching for information as we begin planning for our 30th CSS Memorial Golf Classic next September!