| The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Omaha, Nebraska "SEASONAL GREETINGS" Dear Friends, Those who come to us throughout the year for help, stay in our thoughts, our prayers, and in our awareness of how much we need one another to survive. 2011has been a challenging year; with the sustained unemployment, flooding and rising food costs. We have been asked to help so many people who've never sought help before and whose first call was to their local Catholic Church: people who didn't know how to ask for help; but had a crisis and found us. ~ We paid camping fees at State parks because the homeless shelters were full and the family had a tent. ~ We helped address predatory lending through education and financial aid.~ We took food pantries to elderly clients whose medication costs shot up and left them with no grocery money. ~ With the help of an all-volunteer staff, we stocked shelves, bagged groceries, and served more than 14.000 people through our Food Pantry. Each pantry bag contains: nonperishables, one roll of toilet paper and something that cannot be bought with Food Stamps. ~ We found used household items for women who fled an abusive relationship and who had to leave everything behind in order to find safety. ~ We got the lights turned back on in homes that had been in darkness for more than a month.~ We helped countless single mothers who came to our stores for school clothes, shoes, baby beds, diapers, baseballs and teddy bears. ~ And we listened to thousands of human stories throughout the Omaha Archdiocese and made difficult choices about how best to use our limited funds in order to help those who shared their stories with us. Thank you for your support throughout this past year. We are truly grateful. As we look forward to 2012 we ask you to continue to be part of the St. Vincent de Paul story with your generous financial support and your prayers. Serving in Hope, Roy S. Gertig District Council President Omaha Society of St. Vincent de Paul District Office 3802 Leavenworth St.. #300 Omaha. NE 68105 Main Store and Food Pantry 2101 Leavenworth St. Omaha. Ne 68104 402-346-5445 |