CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES OF SOUTHERN NEBRASKA
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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.
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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 âwhy,â she shared:
âWe are doing Godâs 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.â
Lanetta embodies what it means to serve with a Christ-like heartâgiving back, lifting others up, and spreading HOPE in the Good Life!
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đ§Want to hear more of Lanettaâs story? Tune in to our Hope in the Good Life podcast, featuring her inspiring journey!
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Even if you can't attend our celebration, you can support CSS Hastings through our online auction! |
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đ¶Walk to End Hunger supplies HOPE and record attendance
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BY KRISTINA BRANDL, CSS FOOD MARKET PROGRAM MANAGER
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A whirlwind of high winds and thunderstorms plowed through the Lincoln metropolis, leaving widespread damage and electrical outages in its path. The tempestuous nature of the storm could have left the community and the Walk to End Hunger event in complete disarray. However, hope was not lost. This community has shown up in the worst of times to help those in need, and that was further exemplified by the record turnouts we saw at the Walk to End Hunger the following day.
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We are grateful for the work of the Knights of Columbus, who banded together to prepare the event space in a timely manner. Later, attendees poured in throughout the evening, enjoying the food, raffles, and fellowship in solidarity to stamp out food insecurity. The collective efforts of everyone involved translated into a successful event, one that also exceeded our goal expectations.
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To provide some background on how we configure our numbers, we count each dollar and each pound as one point. Our initial goal for this entire fiscal year was 125,000 points, and we surpassed that goal by slightly over 10,000 points. We collected, in total, 136,463 points from both sponsorships and parishes in and throughout the greater Lincoln area!
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For those who were not able to attend the event but who show their support in various other ways (for example, volunteering, donations, and prayers), we are incredibly grateful. Please know that your contribution, no matter the size, makes a powerful difference. Because, at the end of the day, what the donations and support represent is something just as important: YOU!
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 âFor from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory for ever. Amenâ (Romans 11:36).
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â± Catch up on CSS updates in 180 (seconds) with CSS Executive Director Katie Patrick! |
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, itâs a quick dose of hope and inspiration you wonât want to miss!
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đLeave a Legacy of Hope: Join Us for an Informational Evening on October 21st! |
BY JOHN SOUKUP, CSS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
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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!Â
When someone makes the decision to remember CSS in their estate plan, they become part of our Legacy of Hope Societyâa 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 âCharitable Wealth Transfer Planâ. This unique and novel tool allows you to:
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Create a legacy gift and direct how and when your charitable gifts will be distributed to the Catholic and non-Catholic charities of your choosing.
- Make changes and updates to your legacy plan easily and at no cost, even as your circumstances or intentions evolve.
- Make immediate gifts upon your death, or establish endowed, expendable, or donor-designated funds to support the causes you care about most.
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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 livesâtoday, tomorrow, and for generations to come.
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âEvery person is Christ to me, thatâs why, since there is only one Jesus, that person is the only person to me at that moment.â - 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"âpaying 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 Christâs love here at CSS.Â
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đ§ŒCSS Hastings Personal Care Item Drive supplying dignity, comfort, and hope |
BY MIRANDA SCHUMACHER, CSS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
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Imagine this: youâre 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 daughterâs clothes. Then you hear these words:
âCan we help you with anything else? Do you need toilet paper or dish soap? We have toothbrushes. What do you need?â
Can you imagine the relief? Those small but essential items that often stretch a budgetâwe can take care of them, so you can focus on getting back on your feet.
Thatâs 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 theyâre 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 assistanceâwe can offer dignity, comfort, and hope.
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âł29th Annual CSS Memorial Golf Classic & Cookout a success |
BY JOHN MCDERMOTT, CSS VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT
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Held in memory of long-time CSS advocate Tony Messineo, the 29th annual CSS Memorial Golf Classic &âAuction 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 âchippinâ inâ to make our golf tourney a successful event. Here are the results of the tournament:Â
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- Morning Flight Results
- First Flight
- 1st Place- Schaeferâs (56)
- 2nd Place- Sampson Construction (58)
- Second Flight
- 1st Place- Team Kasl (62)
- 2nd Place- Hospice of Nebraska (62)
- Third Flight
- Bryant, Katt & Associates (64)
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HBE Wealthmanagment (64)
- Afternoon Flight results
- First Flight
- 1st Place- Zach McDermott/Red Door Realty (53)
- 2nd Place- Union Bank & Trust (55)
- Second Flight
- 1st Place- Seward Turkey Enterprises (64)
- 2nd Place- Team Ryan Johnson (65)
- Third Flight
- 1st Place- Antholz, Donner, Wentz, Dentists (69)
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2nd Place- Cornhusker Property (71)
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Be watching for information as we begin planning for our 30th CSS Memorial Golf Classic next September!
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đImperial Trivia Night scheduled for 11/14
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BY JAN SCHULTZ, CSS IMPERIAL VOLUNTEER
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Itâs coming back! After a yearâs break, the Catholic Social Services Trivia Night in Imperial will be up for another night of fun and competition this fall. This yearâs event is set for Friday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. MT, said Bill Sullivan, manager of the St. Isidoreâs Gift & Thrift, a CSS outreach. Sullivan and volunteers from the Imperial thrift store are planning for another fun night of trivia questions.
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Proceeds from the 2025 event will again go to the store and its outreach efforts to help those in need, and not just in the Imperial area. Sullivan said CSS in Imperial serves individuals and families in 11 southwest Nebraska counties. But Sullivan noted that the Trivia Night is not just about raising funds for its mission of aiding those in need. Itâs also to increase public awareness about the service CSS provides and the wide area it serves, so Trivia Night teams from the wide area are being sought.
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2241 O Street | Lincoln, NE 68510 US
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