Our St. Joseph Gift & Thrift Store in Hastings will be CLOSED on Saturday, September 26th. All other CSS Gift & Thrift stores will follow their regularly scheduled hours.
I am very blessed to be from a large family and being raised on a livestock and crops farm located 10 miles east of Des Moines. We cared for many things - fruit trees, grains and a range of two and four legged critters. It worked in no small measure because there were 12 of us, I have six sisters and three brothers, nurtured by two loving parents from the Greatest Generation who worked to impart their values that included generosity, resilience, duty and sacrifice, and hospitality.
From helping a homeless individual living in his vehicle secure a place to call home, to assisting a family displaced from their home after a devastating rainstorm, CSS Southwest (serving Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Hays, Hitchcock, Lincoln, Perkins, and Red Willow counties) is there when people need help the most.
As we transition into the autumn season (and hopefully some cooler weather!), we are reminded of the blessing of a generous harvest. Here at Catholic Social Services in Hastings, we see a different kind of harvest every day—one of hope, love, and encounter with Jesus really present everyday in those with need. I wanted to personally take this moment to invite you to join us for our upcoming Bountiful Harvest celebration.
Life often unfolds in ways we cannot anticipate, reminding us that we are all part of a larger, supportive community. For one new mother, her little one decided to make an early appearance right around the Independence Day holiday.
Communities, and individuals, can grow when they’re built on support systems. Without them, one is more likely to be tempted to take an easier road or even give up. Like John Donne once penned, “No man is an island; entire of itself.”
Surrounded by prayers from CSS employees unable to jump in due to distance or prior obligations—understandable in a service area of 24,000 square miles—more than a dozen of us showed up that afternoon to move furniture, install appliances, make beds, gather kitchen supplies, arrange dinner for the kids, and so much more.
For Nolan Lemna of Lincoln, caring for God’s creation and caring for people in need are not separate callings. They are two ways of living out the same responsibility: to be good stewards of God’s gifts and to share those gifts with our neighbors.
In addition to welcoming thousands of families over the years, the refugee resettlement program at CSS impacted hundreds of everyday Nebraskans by inviting them to serve as refugee case managers, host families, volunteer English teachers, mentors, employment counselors, and more.
Tom and Tammie Schik’s journey with Catholic Social Services began with a simple phone call from a priest - and grew into decades of service, friendship and love for the Hastings community. In this episode, Tom and Tammie share how their work with refugees helped shape CSS Hastings, the lasting relationships they formed with the people they served, and the many ways they continue to put their faith into action. As this year’s recipients of the CSS Love of Christ Award at Bountiful Harvest 2026 on October 4, they reflect on the joy of serving others and what they’ve learned about loving your neighbor along the way. Join us for this annual event at csshope.org/bh2026.
In the latest Messages of Hope, Katie and Ryan Patrick share how we've expanded physical media at St. Louise Gift & Thrift so that our customers can bring “movie night” back into their homes.
In this episode of "Hope in the Good Life", Nolan Lemna shares how his faith inspired a project connecting Nebraska farmers with families experiencing food insecurity. Through a $200,000 Nebraska Environmental Trust grant, Nolan is helping bring locally produced food to families while encouraging farmers to care for the soil, water and wildlife God has entrusted to us. He also reflects on how working the land has deepened his own faith and revealed another way to encounter God in the quiet.
Messages of Hope
By Miranda Schumacher
Development Officer at CSS Hastings Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
What a year it has been for Catholic Social Services in Hastings!
Last year at this time, we were anticipating our office move to 124 S. Colorado Ave. and beginning plans for a new thrift store. Little did we know that the year ahead would bring even more growth—including the purchase of a warehouse right next to our new office. Along the way, we have implemented new policies, welcomed new staff, and, most importantly, continued to make a lasting impact through our mission.
Our latest Little Blessings newsletter highlights their August adventures, shares important notes from our Child Care Manager (including openings for both Littles and teachers!), and so much more. Read how our Catholic faith-based Lincoln center is nurturing Hope in the Good Life!
The CSS Memorial Golf Classic is celebrating its 30th year, and this episode looks back at how the tournament began and the legacy it has built over three decades. John Soukup talks with CSS Vice President of Marketing and Development John McDermott, who started the tournament 30 years ago, and Tom Tracy, who played in the very first tournament. This year’s event honors Tom’s parents, Tom and Margaret Ann Tracy, who were married for 72 years and built a life centered on faith, family, hard work and devotion to one another. Tom and John share memories of the tournament’s early days, the Tracy family legacy, and how the Memorial Golf Classic continues to bring people together while supporting CSS and bringing hope to those it serves.
“I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Every time you decide to buy extra groceries, donate your time or treasure, and pray for our mission, that sacrifice has the capacity to bring just a little more light into our dark world.
New store hours effective September 2026
Our Bountiful Harvest Gala & Silent Auction will be held on October 4, 2026, at the City Auditorium. Each year, we gather to celebrate the work God is doing through Catholic Social Services, share stories of the people we serve, enjoy time with those who support our mission, and raise the resources needed to continue this lifesaving work for those in need.
The 30th annual CSS Memorial Golf Classic & Cookout is set for Monday, September 14th, at Hillcrest Country Club in Lincoln. We are honored to hold this year's event in memory of Tom and Margaret Tracy of Lincoln.
As summer comes to an end and the start of a new school year approaches, many families begin preparing for back-to-school expenses. For some parents, getting their children ready for school can be overwhelming.
Mondays at St. Louise Gift & Thrift are bustling with activity. Since we're closed to the public, it gives staff and volunteers the opportunity to clean, reorganize, and stock new merchandise.
From farm fields to food pantries, one Nebraska man is making a local impact and nourishing Hope in the Good Life.
Beginning August 10th, 2026, we will allow part-time enrollment at Little Blessings Child Care of Catholic Social Services. This change will allow us to better serve more families and provide them with Catholic education and care.
