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Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha
June 2023 Newsletter
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Supporting our neighbors in need through spirituality, friendship and service;
providing emergency food, clothing, financial and in-kind assistance/homeless prevention
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IN THIS ISSUE:
- A message from our Executive Director
- Thrift Stores Need YOUR Donations
- Just How Important Are Our Thrift Stores
- Now That the Trucks Have Officially Been STUFFED....
- Strawberry Brunch Fundraiser
- Volunteer Spotlight
- IRA Charitable Rollover
- Archdiocesan Eucharistic Encounter
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Message from our Executive Director, Jill Lynch-Sosa | |
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“Works of love directed to one's neighbor are the most perfect external manifestation of the interior grace of the Spirit.”
Pope Francis – from “Evangelii Gaudium” (“The Joy of the Gospel”)
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Dear SSVP Friends,
When I ask people around Omaha what they know about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, their answers often include something to this effect: “Well, they have thrift stores, don’t they?” That response makes complete sense to me, as our thrift stores are truly the “face” of our organization.
What they (and, perhaps, you) may not know, though, is just HOW important our thrift stores are to your neighbors who struggle financially, and who rely on the discounted pricing they offer.
As background…The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha operates four (4) “thrift” stores in the Omaha metro area. Our thrift stores take in-kind items that are donated by caring and compassionate members of our community, and our stores’ staff make the same available to struggling individuals and families – at deeply discounted prices. These items include gently used clothing, household goods, furniture, small appliances, toys, books, home décor, and more.
We know that our stores provide an essential service to this community, and we take great care in ensuring that donated items get sold at prices that are most economically helpful for our neighbors in need. Our thrift stores provide items for people of all incomes, although, due to their low prices, the thrift stores tend to help people with lower incomes afford quality items that would be priced higher at other “thrift” stores here in Omaha. It’s also important to note that all net profits from sales at our thrift stores help fund our other essential programs which serve our neighbors who seek assistance from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha.
The services that these four thrift stores provide is the main focus of this newsletter, which is highlighted in the two newsletter articles that follow. As you read on, I would ask you to please consider how YOU might be able to provide support to our mission of serving some of Omaha’s poorest neighbors who rely on the assistance we provide through our thrift stores.
Thank you, and may God bless you for all you do to help your neighbors in need.
Gratefully,
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Jill Lynch-Sosa
Executive Director
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Thrift Stores Need YOUR Donations!
If you're finding yourself cleaning more than enjoying the beautiful summer weather, we can help you out.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores would LOVE to take your extra stuff! We're in need of more in-kind donations to our stores - so much so that we will even pick up your major donations for FREE!
Our SSVP thrift store staff will pick up your larger, in-kind donations - like furniture, refrigerators, microwaves, clothes washers, and dryers (if they're working and undamaged) - at no cost to you! Just call 402-341-1688 to schedule your free donation pick up.
General in-kind donations can also be dropped off at any of our four store locations. Complete information regarding our SSVP thrift stores, in-kind donation pick-ups, and the kinds of items we can and can’t accept can be found on our website, here.
We’re DESPERATELY looking for your in-kind donations to keep these store sections stocked:
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Give us a call today to get your larger appliances taken away - or drop off everything else to any of our four thrift stores! All net proceeds help fund our homelessness prevention and outreach! | |
Just How Important Are Our Thrift Stores? | |
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Young mom, Rebecca and Laurel
Rebecca is truly thankful for the value of shopping at our SSVP thrift store at 122nd & Center Streets. “My husband and I really appreciate the fact that we can find very nice items at discounted prices, especially for our 3 month old baby, Laurel. We only have one income, so we have to stretch every dollar to fit our budget. And, the sales they have at St. Vincent de Paul make shopping here even more attractive. Laurel’s our first, and we’ve been finding that EVERYTHING baby-related is SO expensive, and those costs add up quickly. So, it’s just awesome that the baby clothes and everything else here at the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store are very affordable, which we truly appreciate!”
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College Student, Aileen
Aileen is a college student on a very limited budget. “I love shopping at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores,” shares Aileen. “They always have the most competitive pricing, especially on clothes, which as a college student is really, really important. I also love the vintage clothing they have for sale, as I enjoy wearing older stuff in great condition, which is the case at St. Vincent de Paul. I also am trying to find inexpensive home décor and home goods for my apartment. So, things like furniture, lamps, glassware, paintings – those kinds of things – which I seem to find, as well. One other thing….It’s nice to know that I’m helping people in need through my purchases. I know that the more I spend, the more I’m helping the Society, as it goes to a really good cause, which is absolutely important to me.”
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Take A Look Inside Our Thrift Stores! | |
Click the video box for a virtual tour of any of our 4 store locations! | |
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Westwood
12301 W Center Road
Mon-Sat, 9 AM - 8 PM
Sun, noon - 5PM
(402)933-8242
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Papillion
807 Tara Pl
Mon-Sat, 9 AM -6 PM
(402)593-4055
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Downtown
2101 Leavenworth St
Mon-Sat, 9 AM - 6 PM
(402)341-1689
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Northwest
5505 N. 90th St
Mon-Sat 9 AM - 6 PM
(402)502-7837
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“STUFF THE TRUCK” food drive was a success! We collected a TON of food for our food pantry!
THANK YOU to all the donors and volunteers whose hearts were big enough to not only fill the truck, but STUFF it!
We couldn’t have done it without our sponsors, Methodist Health and 6 News WOWT – their assistance and promotion made this event truly great.
NOW, we need volunteer assistance sorting and shelving the food donations at our SSVP food pantry - located at 2101 Leavenworth Street. If you're able to help sort & put away some of this donated food, please plan on stopping by our SSVP food pantry anytime between 8:00 -11:00 AM on Monday, June 5th and/or Wednesday, June 7th. No prior sign-up is needed - just show up!
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A message from SSVP Omaha's Strawberry Brunch
Chair, Diane Mead ....
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It’s summertime and the kids are hungry!
As you may know, for years our summertime fundraiser event for our wonderful downtown food pantry has been the Strawberry Brunch, although it’s been derailed in recent years due to Covid and other logistical problems. Nonetheless, the need continues and is growing, especially now! So, not to be deterred .... as the Society's Strawberry Brunch chair, I'm inviting you to continue your support of our neighbors in need.
Might you help us feed one or more families this summer? You can be sure ALL donations go directly to the pantry! Simply click here to make an online donation to support our SSVP food pantry, or mail your donation to:
SSVP Strawberry Brunch Fundraiser
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha
PO. Box 241201
Omaha, NE 68124
Be a supporter – one of our “Pantry Peeps" – helping families keep good food on the table this summer!
Thank you so much, and please know that you are very much in my prayers and the prayers of the Society. I hope to see you in person next year at a LIVE Strawberry Brunch!
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Diane Mead
Chair, Strawberry Brunch
P.S. We also wanted to let you know that everyone who provides a gift to this year’s Strawberry Brunch fundraiser – either through the mail or online – will be entered into a random drawing to win the darling tote bag I’m carrying in the above photo! The drawing will occur at the end of the day on Friday, June 30, so don’t delay!
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“Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha, Joe speaking. How may I help you?”
For much of this past year, our resident volunteer receptionist, Joe Mollner, has been the first voice that people on the brink of homelessness hear when they contact our office. Nearly always in a state of distress - from dealing with a financial crisis and facing an eviction or having received notice that their utilities will soon be shut off - these neighbors in need appreciate a caring, helpful voice.
Since late last summer, that compassionate voice has been Joe Mollner’s. Joe assures these callers that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is here to help, and puts them in touch with staff or Vincentian volunteers who begin the process to prevent the individual or family from falling into homelessness or having their home’s utilities suspended.
Joe Mollner’s duties don’t stop there, though. Joe also is tasked with greeting and directing visitors to the Society, sorting incoming mail, organizing & stamping outgoing envelopes – and handling just about any other odds and ends organizational needs that pop up, in order to keep our office running smoothly.
Joe is a volunteer, connected with the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, which he joined after retiring from his maintenance and security duties at Blue Cross Blue Shield. The mission of the IVC is to pair up retirees with local non-profit organizations who are in need of volunteer support. As Joe’s daughter, Anne Mollner, is the Ignatian Volunteer Corp’s Regional Director in Omaha, she pushed Joe to join the IVC, following his retirement.
“She thought I needed something to do,” Joe shares with a chuckle.
Providing service to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha is Joe’s third IVC volunteer effort, having previously helped in maintenance at St. Pius X Catholic Church and cleaned up a warehouse for Habitat for Humanity. Joe took the reins as our SSVP volunteer office receptionist last September, and has been a great addition.
“Frankly, I’m SO glad I did decide to volunteer with the Society. It’s been a wonderful and very eye-opening experience”, Joe states. “Before this, the only `interaction’ I’d had with homeless people was putting money into an envelope and dropping it into the collection at mass. This is obviously quite a bit different.”
Asked what has been his favorite part of serving at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha, Joe was clear: “This experience has been great in so many ways, including putting my faith into action. Really, though, the best part of coming into the office has been interacting with the people here at 1715 Izard Street…the homeless, the neighbors in need who call, the staff, other volunteers, everyone; I’ve really just enjoyed the people!
And, “the people” sure have been glad – and grateful – to have had Joe help out, as well. Thanks for answering the call to service, Joe!
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As a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, all monetary gifts made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law, and are greatly appreciated.
Here is a Special Donation Opportunity for Those 70½ Years Old and Older
You can give any amount (up to a maximum of $100,000) per year from your IRA directly to a qualified charity – such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha – without having to pay income taxes on the money. Gifts of any value $100,000 or less are eligible for this benefit, and you can feel good knowing that you are making a real and meaningful difference to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha. This popular gift option is commonly called the IRA Charitable Rollover, but you may also see it referred to as a qualified charitable distribution, or QCD for short.
Why Consider This Gift?
- Your gift will be put to use right away, allowing you to help neighbors in need from your very own community.
- Beginning in the year you turn 73, you can use your gift to satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution (RMD).
- You pay no income taxes on the gift. The transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you do not itemize your deductions.
- Since the gift doesn’t count as income, it can reduce your annual income level. This may help lower your Medicare premiums and decrease the amount of Social Security that is subject to tax.
Donors who wish to support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha through this IRA Charitable Rollover program should contact their financial services planner/representative to begin this process. Generally, transfers utilizing the IRA Charitable Rollover are completed in the form of a check – made payable to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha (EIN # 47-0745721) – and sent directly to: Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha – 1715 Izard Street – Omaha, Nebraska 68102.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am turning age 70½ in a few months. Can I make this gift now?
No. You must be 70½ by the date you make the gift.
I have several retirement accounts — some are pensions and some are IRAs. Does it matter which retirement account I use?
Yes. Direct gifts to a qualified charity can be made only from an IRA. Under certain circumstances, however, you may be able to roll assets from a pension, profit sharing, thrift savings plan (TSP), 401(k) or 403(b) plan into an IRA and then make the transfer from the IRA directly to SSVP Omaha. To determine if a rollover to an IRA is available for your plan, speak with your financial services planner/representative.
Can my gift be used as my required minimum distribution (RMD)?
Yes, absolutely. Beginning in the year you turn 73, you can use your gift to satisfy all or part of your RMD.
Do I need to give my entire IRA to be eligible for the tax benefits?
No. You can give any amount under this provision, as long as it is no more than $100,000 per year. If your IRA is valued at more than $100,000, you can transfer a portion of it to fund a charitable gift.
When do I need to make my gift?
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha must receive your gift by Dec. 31 for your donation to qualify this year. Please be aware, however, that your check must also clear your account by Dec. 31 to count toward your required minimum distribution for the calendar year.
I have two charities I want to support. Can I give $100,000 from my IRA to each?
No. Under the law, you can give a maximum of $100,000 per year. For example, you can give each organization $50,000 this year or any other combination that totals $100,000, or less. Any amount of more than $100,000 in one year must be reported as taxable income.
My spouse and I would like to give more than $100,000. How can we do that?
If you have a spouse (as defined by the IRS) who is 70½ or older, they can also give any amount up to $100,000 from their IRA.
Does my financial services/planner need to make the check designation to “Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha”, with EIN # 47-0745721?
Yes, all donations made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha – utilizing this IRA Charitable Rollover program – should use that information, with the check originating from your financial services organization and sent directly to SSVP Omaha at the address, above.
For additional information regarding making an IRA Charitable Rollover gift, please contact the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha’s Development Director, Tim Sully at 402-779-8499 or at [email protected].
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Eucharistic Encounter – Thursday, June 22nd
St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church
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Spirit Catholic Radio has selected the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha to be the beneficiary of donations collected at the Omaha Archdiocese’ Eucharistic Encounter – to be held from 5-10 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 15353 Pacific Street. AND….we would like to invite YOU to consider attending the Eucharistic Encounter, as well.
The Eucharistic Encounter events, June 20-22, one in each diocese of Nebraska, will celebrate and deepen one’s faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist through Adoration, Eucharistic piety, dynamic teaching, and powerful sacred music and exposure to local apostolates and ministries. The Omaha Archdiocese’ Eucharistic Encounter will include Archbishop George Lucas, who will speak first, followed by Fr. Malachy Napier, CFR, a USCCB appointed Eucharistic Revival Preacher, who will serve as the keynote speaker for the Liturgical portion of the evening.
Eucharistic exhibitions will be available to view from 5-10 p.m. in the St. Wenceslaus’ Church Narthex. The exhibition will highlight Blessed Carlo Acutis, creator of the Vatican International Exhibition, and the Eucharistic Miracles of the World. Blessed Carlo Acutis has been named a patron of the Eucharistic Revival initiative and the event will include a relic for veneration and a short video about his life. Apostolates and ministries from the parish and community will also be part of the exhibits in the St. Wenceslaus Narthex inviting you to learn more about their missions. Representatives from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha will be one of the apostolates present during the evening’s events, and we would very much look forward to seeing you there!
Please see enclosed graphic for order of events.
No registration is needed to attend the Eucharistic Encounter events. We ask that you please invite loved ones, including those who have fallen away from their faith or may be desiring to know Jesus on a more personal level. Event details can be found at spiritcatholicradio.com/encounter.
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