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Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha
May 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, Jill Lynch-Sosa
Welcome Bishop Michael McGovern
Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving – Wednesday, May 7
HEAL Omaha's Street Outreach Medical Clinic
Pantry Volunteers: OPPD & Nebraska Medicine
St. James School Cereal Donation to SSVP Pantry
Save Big at the SSVP Thrift Stores
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A Message from our Executive Director, Jill Lynch-Sosa
"Ever since the dawn of Easter a new Spring of hope has filled the world."
- Pope Benedict XVI
| | Dear Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha Friends, | | |
As the world around us begins to bloom with the beauty of spring, I want to take a moment to share with you my gratitude for helping the Society fulfill our mission of serving many of the poorest families and individuals from right here in our community. Not one iota of our mission of offering meals and clothing to the homeless or providing food, clothing, housing stability, and utility assistance to poor and struggling neighbors would be possible without your help. Our dedicated volunteers, those who provide material or financial contributions and those who steadfastly pray for the well-being of the Society are what allow any and all of the Society’s programs and services to exist. Quite simply – thank you for all you do to support our mission!
Spring, of course, is a time of renewal, rebirth, and hope for the future. Lots of “new” things are all around us. New grass, new leaves on trees, newly-planted gardens. Jesus’ resurrection and the Easter Season, itself, is a renewal of our faith and hope for eternal life. This faith, of course, is what enlivens the service the Society provides to the families and individuals we serve. So many of them have lost any hope that things could possibly be better, that their lives could improve. Yes, the mission of the Society provides for their basic human needs: food, clothing, a stable place to live. Our mission, however, also reminds those we serve – and ourselves – of the chance to begin again, to start anew. Spring is the season of hope…and our faith is the reason we have it!
What else is “new”?
On Wednesday, May 7th, the College of Cardinals in Rome will convene their conclave to begin the process of electing the successor to Pope Francis. On that same day, at St. Cecilia Cathedral, Bishop Michael McGovern will be installed as the next Archbishop of Omaha. These are important new beginnings – both worldwide and locally – and we pray for the Church and its faithful during this time of renewal.
One final thought….Just over a year ago, staff and volunteers with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Disaster Recovery Team were on-site, in Elkhorn, just a few hours after powerful tornadoes swept through a number of local communities. That evening, members of our staff, volunteers and I brought clothing, towels, blankets & linens to victims of this devastation. At that time, we also began forming relationships with families that were affected by these tornadoes. So many had lost their homes, their belongings – and their livelihoods!
In addition to caring for their immediate needs, many of these families and individuals needed longer-term support, including financial assistance, food, clothing, furniture, household items, as well as help in navigating resources out in the community. One year later, our Disaster Case Managers continue to provide support to many of these neighbors, helping them reach a “new normal” in their lives. Over this time, my staff and I have been told “thank you” by the victims of these tornadoes countless times. So, on their behalf, I want to extend to YOU these messages of gratitude. You, and the support you are able to provide, are the reason why the Society has been able to respond to this and other natural disasters that upend the lives of neighbors from right here in our community.
I wish you the very best during this time of spring and renewal. Please know that you and your family continue in my prayers and in the prayers of the Society.
In His Name,
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Jill Lynch-Sosa
Executive Director
P.S. I invite you to take a moment to look through information later in this newsletter regarding the May 7th Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving. This is an opportunity for all donations to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul that day TO BE DOUBLED – with matching challenge funds being offered by other donors to the Society. There are also additional opportunities for your donation to be increased, depending on the time of day you make your gift. A link to SSVP Omaha’s Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving profile and donation page can be found HERE.
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As we mentioned in our April Newsletter, Omaha Archbishop George Lucas recently stepped down from his position following his 75th birthday, as required by Church law. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha continues to be grateful for the wonderful support that Archbishop Lucas provided to our mission of serving Omaha neighbors in need, over the years.
The Society would also like to warmly welcome Omaha Archbishop-designate, the Most Reverend Michael McGovern (pictured), who has been the Bishop of the Diocese of Belleville, Illinois for the past five years. Bishop McGovern will be installed as the sixth Archbishop of Omaha this coming Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Cathedral of St. Cecilia.
The Society welcomes to Omaha Archbishop-designate Michael McGovern!
Photo of Bishop McGovern courtesy of the Catholic Voice
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The 2nd Annual Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving – on Wednesday, May 7th – is less than one week away! Thanks to several generous supporters, all gifts made to SSVP Omaha during the 24 hours of May 7th will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling the impact of your donation! That means that your gift will go even further in providing meals and clothing for the homeless and food, emergency assistance, household necessities, and support to poor and struggling families from right here in Omaha.
This Day of Giving – facilitated by the Archdiocese of Omaha and the dioceses of Lincoln and Grand Island – is an opportunity to support Catholic-affiliated organizations across the state that offer critical services in their communities. For the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha, this day is an important moment to raise the funds needed to be able to serve our most vulnerable neighbors.
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This year, we are hoping to raise $50,000 to meet the growing needs we are seeing in our community — but we cannot do it without YOUR help. Please consider making your donation to the Society on Wednesday, May 7th, by visiting: Nebraska.iGiveCatholicTogether.org.
And, as an added bonus, there are exciting ways to make your gift go even further! For example, during the first 10 minutes (12:00–12:10 a.m.) and the last 10 minutes (11:49–11:59 p.m.) of the May 7th Day of Giving, three random donors from each time slot will have a $250 bonus donation added to their gift, thanks to the Midnight Madness prize pool provided by the Archdioceses! That’s a potential extra $1,500 going to those in need - just for giving at the right moment!
We know many of our donors are feeling the strain of today’s uncertain economy – and that’s exactly why we cannot overstate how vital your support is right now. Donations to the Society are down significantly this fiscal year, even as the number of struggling families in Omaha continues to grow. If you’re able to give, your help couldn’t come at a more critical time.
Thank you for considering supporting our mission of serving those in need with compassion, dignity, and love on this Day of Giving.
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On Saturday, April 26th, health and medical professionals with HEAL Omaha set up an outreach clinic at and around the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha’s Holy Family Center. Providing health and medical care to our homeless neighbors, Chief Operating Officer of HEAL Omaha, Melissa Neuenfeldt (front center), shares her perspective on the need for the kind of service that HEAL Omaha offers: “It’s so important to meet these unhoused men and women where they are. That’s really the focus of HEAL Omaha, which is to provide compassionate care 'on the streets,' ensuring access for those who need it most.”
Beyond medicine, a goal of HEAL Omaha’s team of dedicated professionals is to restore dignity and hope, ensuring that each person they serve knows that they are valued and important. Melissa shares: “I think we help bridge the gap between clinical care and human connection, making Omaha a healthier, more compassionate community.”
Melissa and her team at HEAL Omaha are already making plans to return to our north downtown location, in order to continue their mission of providing critically important health and medical care to our homeless neighbors. The Society is grateful to HEAL Omaha for their service and for this growing organizational partnership!
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We would like to give a quick thank you to the members of both OPPD and Nebraska Medicine who volunteered for our pantry this month! These groups were a huge help and allowed us to get even more prepared for the next pantry day!
Thanks again to these wonderful groups of volunteers!
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The Society would like to share our sincere appreciation to the students and teachers at St. James/Seton Catholic School for their recent cereal drive, to benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Food Pantry. A special thank you goes out to St. James/Seton's Principal, Mr. Kelly, for continually offering the students practical ways to put their faith into action.
This donation was extraordinarily timely, as our SSVP Food Pantry was running very low on cereal.
In all, the St. James/Seton community donated over TWO PALLETS of boxed cereal, which was delivered just in time for last Thursday's open pantry. Enclosed is a photo of two of our dedicated Food Pantry volunteers - Jerry Britt and Mark Peterson - re-stocking the cereal shelves literally just minutes before the start of that day's open pantry for our neighbors in need.
Thank you to St. James/Seton for this amazing donation!
| | ENJOY 50% OFF AT ALL SSVP OMAHA STORES | |
Join us on the last Saturday of the month, May 31st, 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 the SSVP stores on May 31st!
P.S. - The SSVP Omaha stores will be open on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26th, this year from 11am-4pm! Enjoy some fun thrifting on your Monday!
*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! | | | | |
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Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha
May 2025 Newsletter
| | | | |
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
Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving – Wednesday, May 7
Welcome Bishop Michael McGovern
HEAL Omaha's Street Outreach Medical Clinic
Pantry Volunteers: OPPD & Nebraska Nursing Committee
St. James School Cereal Donation to SSVP Pantry
Thank You to Nebraska Humane Society
Thrift Stores' Sale
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A Message from our Executive Director, Jill Lynch-Sosa
“Lent is a time for believing, for welcoming God into our lives and allowing Him to 'make His dwelling' among us."
-Pope Francis
| | Dear Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha Friends, | | |
Jill Lynch-Sosa
Executive Director
You can donate securely online at SSVPOmaha.org or send a check to the Society at 1715 Izard Street, Omaha, NE 68102. Frankly, we cannot provide our critical assistance to families in need without the support we receive from caring and compassionate friends of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, like you. Thank you!
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for (audience)? Why should they care (benefit)? What do I want them to do (call-to-action)?
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| | |
The 2nd Annual Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving – on Wednesday, May 7th – is less than one week away! Thanks to several generous supporters, all gifts made to SSVP Omaha during the 24 hours of May 7th will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling the impact of your donation! That means that your gift will go even further in providing meals and clothing for the homeless and food, emergency assistance, household necessities, and support to poor and struggling families from right here in Omaha.
This Day of Giving – facilitated by the Archdiocese of Omaha and the dioceses of Lincoln, and Grand Island – is an opportunity to support Catholic-affiliated organizations across the state that offer critical services in their communities. For the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha, this day is an important moment to raise the funds needed to be able to serve our most vulnerable neighbors.
| | |
This year, we are hoping to raise $50,000 to meet the growing needs we are seeing in our community — but we cannot do it without YOUR help. Please consider making your donation to the Society on Wednesday, May 7th, by visiting: Nebraska.iGiveCatholicTogether.org.
And, as an added bonus, there are exciting ways to make your gift go even further! For example, during the first 10 minutes (12:00–12:10 a.m.) and the last 10 minutes (11:49–11:59 p.m.) of the May 7th Day of Giving, three random donors from each time slot will have a $250 bonus donation added to their gift, thanks to the Midnight Madness prize pool provided by the Archdioceses! That’s a potential extra $1,500 going to those in need - just for giving at the right moment!
We know many of our donors are feeling the strain of today’s uncertain economy – and that’s exactly why we cannot overstate how vital your support is right now. Donations to the Society are down significantly this fiscal year, even as the number of struggling families in Omaha continues to grow. If you’re able to give, your help couldn’t come at a more critical time.
Thank you for considering supporting our mission of serving those in need with compassion, dignity, and love on this Day of Giving.
| | |
As we mentioned in our April Newsletter, Omaha Archbishop George Lucas recently stepped down from his position following his 75th birthday, as required by Church law. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha continues to be grateful for the wonderful support that Archbishop Lucas provided to our mission of serving Omaha neighbors in need, over the years.
The Society would also like to warmly welcome incoming Omaha Archbishop, the Most Reverend Michael McGovern (pictured), who has been the Bishop of the Diocese of Belleville, Illinois for the past five years. Bishop McGovern will be installed as the sixth Archbishop of Omaha this coming Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Cathedral of St. Cecilia.
The Society welcomes to Omaha, Bishop McGovern!
Photo of Bishop McGovern courtesy of the Catholic Voice
| | |
On Saturday, April 26th, health and medical professionals with HEAL Omaha set up an outreach clinic at and around the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha’s Holy Family Center. Providing health and medical care to our homeless neighbors, Chief Operating Officer of HEAL Omaha, Melissa Neuenfeldt (front center), shares her perspective on the need for the kind of service that HEAL Omaha offers: “It’s so important to meet these unhoused men and women where they are. That’s really the focus of HEAL Omaha, which is to provide compassionate care “on the streets”, ensuring access for those who need it most.”
Beyond medicine, a goal of HEAL Omaha’s team of dedicated professionals is to restore dignity and hope, ensuring that each person they serve knows that they are valued and important. Melissa shares: “I think we help bridge the gap between clinical care and human connection, making Omaha a healthier, more compassionate community.”
Melissa and her team at HEAL Omaha are already making plans to return to our north downtown location, in order to continue their mission of providing critically-important health and medical care to our homeless neighbors. The Society is grateful to HEAL Omaha for their service and for this growing organizational partnership!
| | |
The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.
| | |
The Society would like to share our sincere appreciation to the St. students and teachers at St. James / Seton Catholic School for their recent cereal drive, to benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Food Pantry. A special thank you goes out to St. James' Principal, Mr. Kelly, for continually offering the students practical ways to put their faith into action.
This donation was extraordinarily timely, as our SSVP Food Pantry was running very low on cereal.
In all, the St. James / Seton community donated over TWO PALLETS of boxed cereal, which was delivered just in time for last Thursday's open pantry. Enclosed is a photo of two of our dedicated Food Pantry volunteers - Jerry Britt and Mark Peterson - re-stocking the cereal shelves literally just minutes before the start of that day's open pantry for our neighbors in need.
Thank you to St. James / Seton for this this amazing donation!
| | The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. | | | | Happy Easter from the SSVP Omaha Thrift Stores! | |
Now is the perfect time to check out our SSVP Omaha thrift stores! At all of our stores, you can find a great selection of Easter decorations to spruce up your home this holiday!
And remember, by shopping at SSVP Omaha thrift stores, you help support all of our programs serving those in need. Our stores rely on the generosity of our donors and shoppers, and we are so thankful for everyone who supports our stores in any way they can.
| | 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
| | |
2101 Leavenworth Street
Mon-Sat, 9:30 AM-5:30 PM
(402) 341-1689
Donation Hours: Mon-Fri, 9:30 AM-3 PM
| | |
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
| | |
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! | | | | |
