by Katie Patrick
Early one Friday morning at the Catholic Social Services Lincoln front office, Thomas walked toward me slowly, taking time to look around at the others in the lobby, glancing into the chapel, and eyeing the breakfast burritos and coffee we had set out for clients on the kitchen counter. The front lobby was fairly full, with clients eating and waiting for appointments. In the mornings, we host Lincoln Literacy, a nonprofit that teaches English to refugees and immigrants, creating a vibrant atmosphere of hope and renewal.
As he approached, Thomas crossed his arms, leaning in to ask for a gift card to our thrift store next door. He looked tired; his face was clean but discolored, and his clothes were worn and slightly too big. He didn’t appear homeless, but perhaps he was hungry, tired, or both. He told me he had just left the hospital. His mom had bought him a pair of sweatpants when he was discharged, a gesture for which he was clearly grateful, but that was all he had, besides the shirt he was wearing.
When I asked how he was doing, he replied, “Good.” His spirits seemed surprisingly high, and as I handed over his gift card, he said that I made his weekend. But really, it’s you—the reader—who made his weekend possible. The $20 gift card comes from your charitable contributions and donated items to our thrift stores.
Working the front desk and providing direct client services at any of our locations—whether in Lincoln, Auburn, Hastings, or Imperial—offers us, as staff and volunteers, the opportunity to come face to face with Jesus every single day. The material support we provide—clothing, food, and shelter—comes from the generosity of people like you.
It’s rare for me to provide direct client services, but that morning, as I filled in at the front desk while several regular staff members painted apartments at St. Gianna’s Home in Lincoln, I was reminded of why I chose this work. After assisting Thomas, a young woman from Honduras came in to receive a donated wheelchair. She had been injured in her home country years ago, and had undergone five surgeries on her right leg. Her gratitude for the wheelchair, which would grant her greater mobility, filled the room with warmth.
That morning, Thomas, the young woman from Honduras, and dozens of others—many facing homelessness—were helped because of you and me. Your ongoing support is what enables us to continue this vital work.
Over the past three years, we’ve seen a 29% increase in demand for our services across our four locations. Last year alone, our Lincoln office completed over 29,492 acts of service, meeting critical needs for food, diapers, personal care items, clothing, and household goods.
The needs continue to grow, and so does our commitment to meet them. You can help by making monetary donations or by contributing essential items like food, soap, laundry detergent, and diapers. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, has the power to transform lives.
In fact, another one of my favorite parts of being at the front desk is accepting small, random and heartfelt donations for our clients from people like you. Whether it’s crocheted hats for winter, a birthday cake for a child at St. Gianna’s Home, a diaper packed with baby supplies for a new mother, a large Ziplock bag full of unused hotel shampoo and body lotion, or a bag of groceries for a parent in need, these are the types of gifts that truly make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.
So, as you reflect on this story, consider how you can help us serve those in need and become part of the mission of Catholic Social Services. Thank you and may God bless you!
