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Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha
July 2025 Newsletter
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Supporting our neighbors in need through spirituality, friendship and service
Providing emergency food, clothing, material and financial / homeless prevention assistance, since 1868
| | | FOOD PANTRY | PARISH CONFERENCE OUTREACH | HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION FOOD/CLOTHING FOR THE HOMELESS | DISASTER RECOVERY | THRIFT STORES | | |
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Message From Our Executive Director
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha's Impact!
- Budget Shortfall for Fiscal Year 2025
- SSVP Conference Spotlight - Holy Name
- Strawberry Brunch Recap
- Ice Machine Has Been a Godsend
- Thrift Stores’ July Sales
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A Message from our Executive Director, Jill Lynch-Sosa
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Peter, son of John, do you love me more than these?' Peter replied, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him in reply, 'Feed my lambs.'"
John 21:15
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Jesus’ question to Peter – “Do you love me?” – isn’t about proof. It’s a call to action, a reminder that love isn’t just a feeling; it’s what we do. In addition, and integral to Vincentian principles, we’re not simply called to imagine Christ in the poor – but to know that He truly is present, and that we are to welcome Him. In every neighbor who calls our helpline, in every shivering person outside the window, Christ asks us again and again:
“Do you love me?”
We are all called to “love God,” in St. Vincent’s famous formulation, “with the strength of our arms and the sweat of our brows.” Loving is not simply a feeling; it is doing – and not for ourselves, but for others. As Jesus himself taught, the “others” we are to serve are the marginalized, the homeless, the outcasts, the powerless. Jesus’ parable in the Gospel of Matthew distills this idea: love of God and loving and serving those in need are one and the same: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.”
The key takeaway is this: God is intimately present with those whom society often overlooks or avoids. He sees, loves, and calls us to serve the very people the world tries not to see – and in doing so, we encounter Christ Himself. When we recognize and respond to those on the fringes of society – the unhoused, the imprisoned, the poorest of our neighbors – we help bring His kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven. Indeed, love for our neighbor cannot be separated from our love for God.
It is important to note that in the services the Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides, we are called “to see the suffering Christ” in the poor. Not to imagine Him, but to truly feel His presence and to know that He is there. As St. Vincent explained, we “are serving Jesus Christ in the person of the poor. And that is as true as that we are here.”
So, who is the suffering Christ in our midst today? She is the hungry one, the thirsty one, the stranger living in fear and uncertainty, the prisoner, the sick. He is standing right there, alone in the cold or seeking respite from the sweltering heat. When we visit a struggling single mom, when we accompany an elderly couple through our food pantry, when we provide clothing and meals to Omaha’s homeless, we are in the presence of the One who asks:
“Do you love me?”
The lengths we go to for those we love – the sacrifices, the acts of kindness, the time and energy we freely give to family, friends, or a partner – rarely feel like too much when love is our reason. They don’t even have to ask because our love alone compels us. So, when Jesus asks Peter (and us) if we love Him, He gently reminds us what the love of God calls us to do: “Feed my lambs.”
In closing, I want you to know how very grateful I am to you for being such an important part of the assistance the Society provides – a “hand up” to those in need from right here in our community. Your support makes our services possible and is, from my perspective, a very real and tangible manifestation of God’s grace, helping “feed His lambs.”
Thank you for the many graces you bestow upon the people we serve – and may God bless you. Please know that you continue to be in my prayers and in the prayers of the Society.
Gratefully,
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Jill Lynch-Sosa
Executive Director
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Just last year, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha provided $3,507,511 of assistance to local families and individuals in need. This includes providing:
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5,364 households with rental, utility & related assistance;
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36,364 visits to our Food Pantries;
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58,058 meals through our Sack Lunch Program for the homeless and near-homeless;
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4,669 visits to our Closet Door homeless clothing program;
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6,010 personal care essentials for the homeless;
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9,534 thrift store vouchers to neighbors in need, allowing them to acquire clothing and household items for their families - at no cost to them;
- Warm coats and accessories to over 5,000 households and individuals at our annual Winter Coat Giveaway events.
The above is the impact that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha has made, which assisted a total of 129,879 families and individuals from our community in just one year's time - and which is only possible because of YOUR support!
So, for all you do to help us provide for the basic human needs of the poor, struggling, and homeless of our communtiy - THANK YOU!
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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha's 2025 fiscal year ends on September 30th. Donations to the Society have been significantly down this year. As of right now (end of June), we still need to raise $200,000 to meet budgeted individual donation revenues. We are urgently asking for your support in order to continue providing assistance to those most in need in our community. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a critical and meaningful difference.
I would also ask you to please share this message with others who may be in a position to help the Society address this need. Donations to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha can be made HERE, or mailed to the Soicety at 1715 Izard Street - Omaha, NE 68102. Or, if you wish, please feel free to be in touch with me, Jill Lynch-Sosa, at Jill@ssvpomaha.org or at 402-779-8499, extension 101. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
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For nearly 100 years, the St. Vincent de Paul Conference at Holy Name Catholic Church has been calling its Vincentian volunteers to help care for their neighbors in need. And, for nearly 100 years, they’ve been answering this call. “The service we provide to struggling neighbors is a mission of love, a mission of mercy,” shares SSVP Holy Name Conference President, Mary Adams.
| As background…Holy Name Catholic Church was founded in 1919 by the Redemptorist Order on the outskirts of a growing Omaha, at 2901 Fontenelle Boulevard. The parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Conference was established in November of 1929 – perhaps not coincidentally – in the month following the October 24th “Black Thursday” stock market crash, which economists point to as the beginning of the decade-long Great Depression. As such, the early Vincentian volunteers at Holy Name likely had their hands full, as high unemployment, food shortages, and social unrest became widespread across the nation and throughout Omaha, related to this massive economic downturn. | | |
Today, Holy Name’s SSVP Conference bustles with activity, as Vincentians host neighbors in need who are seeking assistance during the afternoons on the first and third Wednesday of each month. The conference’s Food Pantry is open on both Wednesdays, with their financial assistance program available on the third Wednesday. Currently, Holy Name’s SSVP conference boasts 19 active members and 11 associate members, with Vincentians dividing their volunteering time between those two monthly outreach days (although several volunteers help out on both). And, in 2025, Holy Name’s St. Vincent de Paul Vincentian volunteers’ hands continue to be full, as the Conference’s former President, Kevin Grode, shares, “The need just continues to grow, as we see more and more neighbors seeking assistance. Keeping the pantry fully stocked and following up with those seeking financial assistance keeps all of our conference members very, very busy."
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Mary Adams, who has been a Vincentian since 2018 and Conference President since 2023, recalls what initially motivated her to this ministry: “Well, I believe Christ has called ALL of us to serve those in need. He did it, Himself, and He’s invited His followers to do the same. I definitely felt a calling to get involved – kind of an internal conversation I had with the Holy Spirit. And, when Jesus asks, you sort of have to say 'yes,'“ smiles Mary.
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Fellow Holy Name Vincentian, John Crossley, shares a similar sentiment, “One of the most basic aspects I’ve learned being a Catholic is to give of oneself to help those who are having a difficult time. It’s an opportunity that God puts in front of everyone – in front of me. Jesus asks us all to help those in need. Both John and his wife, Cindi, who is also a Vincentian, appreciate the importance of the Holy Name Conference’s impact: “It’s been amazing to see the sheer volume of people in need,” shares John. You never know who may need help. We all may have been in their shoes at some point, so just being able to give a little bit of my time in the food pantry is really helpful. There’s so much need. It’s a joy to be of service to others. Giving back is part of what we all should do.”
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Holy Name Vincentian, Shirley Schaefer, echoes a similar theme: “My faith…that motivates me. God is saying…'Help people out,' and so that’s what I do.” Shirley, who also volunteers her time serving food at a local VFW, began her Vincentian volunteer duties “as a sub,” shares Shirley, “although I eventually became a regular, once-a-month volunteer.” Shirley, who sits at the front table and welcomes each and every neighbor who comes through the door, relishes her volunteer position with their conference’s outreach efforts: “I find this service VERY rewarding,” relates Shirley.”
In her unique SSVP role at Holy Name, Shirley listens to neighbors as they explain why they’re there and the struggles they’ve been facing. “The stories I hear are simply heartbreaking,” shares Shirley. “So many have lost their job, or their husband walked out on them, leaving hungry children. And, with the price of groceries, nowadays, they just can’t make ends meet. I’m so glad that the Society and Holy Name can be there for them when they truly need our assistance. When I leave each Wednesday, I feel good about that we’ve been able to help people.”
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Vincentian, Dave Sweeney, offers a unique skillset to Holy Name’s SSVP conference and outreach. Dave, a former Redemptorist himself, has been a Vincentian for about three years. “My wife, Donna, grew up at Holy Name,” shares Dave, “and our four kids attended school here. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is something we both believe in very strongly – that the fortunate should help those who are less fortunate and struggling. As Christians, we’re called to live out these tenets.”
Dave, who – in addition to being the conference’s Spiritual Advisor – is a good, empathetic listener, as he helps conduct interviews of neighbors seeking financial assistance. Dave thoughtfully relates one neighbor’s struggles: “There was a woman who had cancer,” shares Dave. “When she became unable to work, because of the cancer’s progression, she was fired from her job. Even with all of that going on, she was still reluctant to request assistance. Prior to her health issues, she had been completely independent and had never been in a position where she needed to ask for help – from anyone. I just listened to her as she shared her sadness and life challenges. Frankly, that’s also part of the assistance we provide; we give people a chance to tell their story, and to be supportive emotionally, spiritually, as well as financially.”
Sofia “Sofie” Kock has been a Vincentian volunteer with Holy Name’s St. Vincent de Paul Conference for ten years. “I love it,” shares Sofie. It’s very rewarding, and a really good thing to do for the community we’re in.”
After serving as Holy Name’s School Principal for 19 years, Sofie retired in 2015, possessing a broad perspective on Holy Name and the people that the parish and SSVP serve. “My husband, Frank, and I have been parishioners at Holy Name for 53 years,” shares Sofie. “This church has always served the underserved. We are a mission parish.”
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“After I had retired, a Vincentian called Frank and me, asking if we might be interested in joining the conference. It seemed like the most natural thing in the world to do. And, as I got into it, I realized that this was really an extension of what I’d been doing as Principal at Holy Name … helping people who don’t have enough to live successfully, to live better, to live a more hopeful life. In visiting with our neighbors, I hear common themes and stories, which are so often heart-wrenching.”
“For example, a formerly homeless mom – who had previously been living with her kids in their car – was requesting assistance. When this young woman’s son had gotten sick a number of weeks prior, she needed to stay home from work in order to care for him. Of course, she ended up losing her job. Not wanting to fall back into homelessness, this woman was desperate and pretty much hopeless. I'm so thankful we were able to help her with food and rental assistance.”
| In closing, Mary Adams shares some final thoughts on Holy Name’s St. Vincent de Paul conference, the work of their Vincentians, and the service they provide to neighbors in need: “I truly believe we are doing what Jesus asks of each of us in the Gospels. Our pantry feeds the hungry. Our vouchers clothe the naked. Our rent assistance shelters the homeless. These are not abstract teachings. These are the Corporal Works of Mercy, in action. And, why do we do it? We do it because Jesus told us to love our neighbors as ourselves. We do it because faith without works is empty. We do it because when one part of the Body of Christ suffers, we all suffer. And in every moment of this work, we strive to be the hands and feet of Christ, helping to alleviate the suffering of those in need.” | | |
Thanks to the many hard-working volunteers and committee members, along with our generous guests, the brunch, held on June 14th at St. Wenceslaus, was an incredible success! In total, the brunch grossed more than $40,000 in support of our SSVP Omaha food pantry!
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Each of the forty tables at the event had its own theme, allowing every table's hostess a chance to use their creative sides to build fun themes like "Under the Sea," or "Lovely Lliacs." To see all of the amazing table themes and decorations found at this year's brunch, check out the photos on our Strawberry Brunch webpage HERE.
Alongside the wonderful food, creativity, and friendship were raffle tickets guests could purchase and silent auction items that they could bid on. Thanks to the incredibly generous Omaha community, approximately 100 spectacular raffle and auction items were donated to the brunch. Among these remarkable items was a print of "Holy Family," by Frank Dolphens - a very talented local artist.
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This year’s Strawberry Brunch was also in memory of its founder, and longtime Vincentian, Diane Mead, who sadly passed away this last December. Throughout her many years of service to the Society, Diane made a tremendous impact on the organization, those she served, and our many volunteers and staff members. Please check out this memorial video to hear just how wonderful of an impression Diane left on all those she worked with.
Thank you again to all of the incredible volunteers and guests who made this event such an amazing success!
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In our April Newsletter, we noted that the Society had recently installed an ice machine here at our Holy Family Center. As a reminder … a friend of, and donor to the Society provided the funds needed to purchase and install this much-needed ice (and water) dispenser. As the hot summer months have arrived, our staff and volunteers have been busy filling quart-sized bags of ice, which we hand out to the hundreds of homeless neighbors who frequent the downtown Omaha area – and who rely on the Society for many of their basic needs.
As temperatures rise, the dangers of extreme heat become a daily reality for our homeless neighbors. While many of us can retreat to air conditioning or grab a cold drink from the fridge, those living on the streets don’t have that luxury. That’s why something as simple as an ice machine here at the Society is more than a convenience – it’s a critical tool for survival and dignity.
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Ice may seem small, but its impact is powerful.
Having the ability to provide ice to our unhoused neighbors has truly been a blessing. Not surprisingly, these neighbors have very little ability to cool down themselves, as well as any food they may have. And, this problem is exacerbated when the outside temperatures soar into the upper 80s and 90s.
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Beyond the physical benefits, sharing ice is also about hospitality. It says, “You are seen. You matter.” It’s a small act that fosters trust and opens the door to deeper support.
If you’d like to help keep our ice supply flowing, we welcome donations toward utilities, maintenance, or even reusable water bottles and coolers. Every bit helps. Together, we can ensure no one is left to suffer alone in the heat.
| | THANK YOU TO ST. PATRICK'S IN ELKHORN | | |
In our June newsletter, we had asked to see if any group would be able to wash the winter coats which we receive at our thrift stores - many of which are wonderful coats just in need of a wash.
Thankfully volunteers at St. Patrick's in Elkhorn answered our call! We are so grateful for these volunteers taking on this role - ultimately, this will help us provide even more coats to those in need this fall and winter during our Coat Giveaways!
If you are also interested in helping with this project, please contact our Director of Stores: gm@ssvpomaha.org. And, thank you, in advance, for considering this unique, important volunteer opportunity!
| | 50% OFF AT ALL SSVP OMAHA THRIFT STORES! | | |
Join us on the last Saturday of the month, July 26th, where you can get 50% off your entire order by shopping at SSVP Omaha! *
We have lots of beautiful items waiting to find their new homes! Find your favorite at our SSVP Omaha thrift stores on Saturday, July 26th!
*PS - Our SSVP Omaha stores will be closed on Friday, July 4th*
*Mattresses not included in sale*
| | SSVP OMAHA THRIFT STORE LOCATIONS: | | |
12301 West Center Road
Mon-Sat, 10 AM-8 PM
Sun, 12 PM-5 PM
(402) 933-8242
Donation Hours: Mon-Sat, 10 AM-4 PM, Sun 12 PM-4 PM
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2101 Leavenworth Street
Mon-Sat, 9:30 AM-5:30 PM
(402) 341-1689
Donation Hours: Mon-Fri, 9:30 AM-3 PM
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5505 N. 90th Street
Mon-Fri, 10 AM-6 PM
Sat, 10 AM-4 PM
(402) 502-7837
Donation Hours: Mon-Fri, 10 AM-5 PM, Sat 10 AM-3 PM
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807 Tara Plaza
Mon-Sat, 9 AM-6 PM
(402) 593-4055
Donation Hours: Mon-Sat, 10 AM-4:30 PM
| | Want more information on the Society's Thrift Stores? Just click HERE! | | Follow us on social media to keep up-to-date with the latest SSVP Omaha stories, news, and events! | | | | |
