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SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL OMAHA
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    • Conferences
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    • Thrift Stores
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  • Ways to Help
    • Annual Events >
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  • Help Line: ​402-346-5445 or ​helpline@svdpomaha.com

Community Garden Project Invitation

10/2/2020

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​I invite you to consider a fantastic, COVID-safe, and urgent service that you, your neighbors, your community or faith group can do to help end hunger. If you want to learn more, contact volunteers@svdpomaha.com
Communities with robust, sustainable, local sources of food are much more able to withstand unpredictable disruptions in food supplies caused by weather, health, or economic crises.  In part that requires a reliable process for delivering available supplies to people who need them. In part it requires new local sources of food.
To promote easier access and a more reliable source of local food supplies, especially fresh produce across diverse cultural requirements, a group of nonprofits comprised of Big Garden, Whispering Roots, Together, Catholic Charities, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, is establishing a partnership to develop a delivery process as well as to increase the number of community gardens throughout the Omaha metro. 
​
We are asking YOU to locate, build, plant, manage and harvest community gardens within your neighborhood. We will help you all along the way.
These gardens will provide fresh vegetables and fruit, principally to food-insecure people in their neighborhoods and then to local food pantries or larger regional pantries. Individual gardeners will be able to harvest some of what they plant for themselves, but the primary goal for each garden is to provide access to local, robust, sustainable, culturally appropriate fresh produce for people in need in Omaha. 
​
The Big Garden(TBG), has a long history of working with faith communities to address hunger and build community through gardening. Since 2005 TBG has partnered with over 150 organizations to develop community gardens on their property. The process begins with members of the congregation reaching out to TBG staff with an interest in community gardens and filling out an initial application. TBG staff will schedule a time to meet with potential gardeners and conduct an evaluation of the site. At this meeting questions about access to land, reliable sources of water, the size of the garden and who will help maintain it are discussed. 
TBG asks that each group designate a site coordinator for the garden who will serve as a contact person and who will also help recruit and coordinate a garden committee. TBG can provide information on best practices for coordinating community gardens as a part of the planning process.
Once applications are approved TBG staff will provide supplies, materials and seedlings for the new garden at no cost to your group. TBG staff will work with volunteers from each group to construct the garden and will provide ongoing technical support for the gardeners throughout the growing season again at no cost. In addition, TBG can, upon request, provide a group of volunteers to help when necessary such as for large mulching, weeding, or harvesting projects.  

Whispering Roots
’ mission is to grow, feed and educate. For this project, Whispering Roots will provide mentorship in nutrition and fresh food preparation and storage. More, Whispering Roots will help create food delivery processes in conjunction with the new gardens by using their model of home delivery to provide culturally appropriate food from each garden to those who need it. 
Whispering Roots asks that each group include contact information for any volunteer drivers who are interested in being “on call” to make deliveries. Though the bulk of deliveries at this time could be shouldered solely by Whispering Roots with Together drivers, collaboration with and outreach to the community is key, and volunteer drivers will be one method of achieving that. Whispering Roots will contact, schedule, and provide guidance to the on-call drivers as needed. A Best Practices document for safe delivery will be provided to each group.

Together
believes food is a human right and every person should have access to culturally appropriate and nutrient-dense foods.  Housing is also a human right, every person should have access to fair, safe and affordable housing. For the home delivery program, Together will provide drivers and a vehicle to deliver food to the doorstep of those unable to access a traditional pantry. Together will also provide meat, seasonal produce, culturally appropriate food items, and additional items as they become available. 
 
Catholic Charities will supplement the garden produce by providing two weeks of supplemental food, hygiene products, personal protective equipment, and diapers for families.  Additional food support will be offered to families in need of ongoing food support.   
 
The Society of St Vincent de Paul will help coordinate the new garden projects plus help recruit and train volunteers throughout the growing season. We hope you’ll join! For more information contact volunteers@svdpomaha.com.

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Only 1 day until the Strawberry e-Brunch Event!

6/12/2020

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TOMORROW!
Watch the LIVE BROADCAST of the event this Saturday, June 13th, 11a.m. - noon.  
Go to our website at 
https://www.svdpomaha.com/strawberry-brunch.html  
and click on “ WATCH LIVE EVENT HERE . ” 
Join the e-Brunch as early as 10:45a.m. to watch our slideshow of past Strawberry Brunches.

WHAT DOES THE Society of St. Vincent de Paul DO? 

FEED THE HUNGRY 
Food Pantry located at 2101 Leavenworth St.
Open Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am - 12:30pm
Serves 130-150 households each day it is open 
Drive-thru vs choice pantry due to the Coronavirus pandemic
Dry goods, produce, and meat are available
Much of the produce is grown in our own Society Pantry Garden!

HELP FOLKS MEET FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES
Assist with rent, utility bills, or other urgent needs

ASSIST THE HOMELESS  
     Holy Family Sack Lunch Program makes and gives away about 375 sandwiches a day Monday-Friday
     Holy Family Door Ministry offers clothing and other essentials for the homeless

KEEP FOLKS WARM
Coat drives gather thousands of gently used coats
Coat Give Away Day helps over 3,000 prepare for cold weather
    Gift cards for needy school children to get new socks and underwear

OFFER CLOTHING and HOME FURNISHINGS
Gently used items for sale or give away
Four thrift store locations in Omaha area

Northwest Store:  5505 N. 90th St | Mon-Sat 9a-8p, Sun 12-5p | 402-502-7837
Downtown Store:  2101 Leavenworth St | Mon-Sat: 9a-6p | 402-341-4942
Papillion Store:  807 Tara Pl | Mon-Sat 9a-6p | 402-593-4055
South Omaha Store:  5037 S. 24th St | Mon-Sat 9a-6p | 402-733-3500


GROW COMMUNITY
     Churchyard Garden with plots for anyone interested in growing healthy food for themselves or others
     Holy Family Chapel and Social Hall for community gathering and outreach
Our volunteers are difference makers.  
We rely on them to help us reach out to people in need with caring and dignity. Here's one volunteer's perspective. 


Funds raised for the Strawberry e-Brunch event support our food pantry as well as responding to those in need across the community with urgent financial needs.
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AND THE WINNER OF THE EARLY BIRD RAFFLE IS...
Beth Mueller!
We are excited that Beth, one of our best Brunch hostesses, is the winner of the early bird raffle - a $100 gift certificate for groceries. Beth has decorated tables - usually three each year! - for us almost every year. 
We appreciate her support so much!

Don’t forget… you have another chance to win something...
 
By registering for the June 13th event, 
your name  will be entered into our raffle drawing, 
which will take place during the live event. 
Winners will be notified and delivery arranged. 
You could be the lucky winner of one of these fantastic prizes… 
 
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St. Mother Teresa Theme Basket
Contributed by 
Bonnie Lansing ​
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Colorful to the Max Quilt, 46" x 66" made by Susan McDonnell
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Butterfly Money Tree
Contributed by the 
Strawberry Brunch Committee
We appreciate the opportunity to share with you a little bit about the Society's works. However, it would not be possible to do what we do without YOU! We thank you for your donations! Your kindness and generosity touch the lives of so many right here in our community! 

Visit our website  https://www.svdpomaha.com   
to learn more about the Society and how you can help.  ​
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After a very successful WOWT Stuff the Bus event, 
we are in need of help sorting the food! Great for a small group of teen/adult family members or friends in a social bubble!
Please apply here to VOLUNTEER!
Our Mission
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need. 
Serving the Omaha area since 1868, we are part of an international organization, linked by the common mission of our patron St. Vincent de Paul.  

DONATE ONLINE
Your support is greatly appreciated!
​

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance:
 Helpline: 402-346-5445
 helpline@svdpomaha.com
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Strawberry Brunch Early Bird Raffle and More!

6/3/2020

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Just 10 days until the Strawberry e-Brunch Fundraiser! 
Fr. Taylor is getting geared up for the event to share with you some of his stories about his spiritual experiences with St. Mother Teresa and some of her Sisters. Watch a personal invitation from Fr. Taylor.
  Be sure to share it with your friends and family!
It's going to be so interesting!
FUN FACTS about Fr. Taylor: 
  • He flew airplanes before he entered the seminary. 
  • His connection to Mother Teresa started with a dream he had while in New York on spring break during seminary. 
  • He is from West Point, Nebraska. 
  • He was only 6 years old when Mother Teresa died. 
  • He is a frequent guest on KVSS Spirit Catholic radio.
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FUN FACTS about St. Mother Teresa:
  • She was born in Albania in 1910 and given the name Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu. (Say that three times!)
  • At age 12 she already had a desire to be involved in overseas mission work. 
  • She joined the Sisters of Loreto at age 18 and began missionary work a year later in India, teaching geography to middle school girls. 
  • She became a Catholic nun, taking the name of “Teresa” after St. Therese of Lisieux, the Patroness of Missions. 
  • In 1946 she experienced a very profound encounter with Jesus during retreat and received a "call within a call" to serve the poorest of the poor, becoming "Mother Teresa" as we all know today … caring and serving the people of the slums and streets of Calcutta. That was the beginning of the Missionaries of Charity, an Order founded by Mother Teresa which remains an active organization today. 
Tune in June 13th at 11:00 a.m. for the Strawberry e-Brunch event to hear what Fr. Taylor has to say about his drawing to St. Mother Teresa… no doubt, he will inspire us all to grow in holiness. 
(Watch live from our website: https://www.svdpomaha.com/strawberry-brunch.html.)
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BTW, if you haven’t browsed our website lately, visit 
https://www.svdpomaha.com/strawberry-brunch.html 
to check out the strawberry recipes. 
Consider sharing a favorite strawberry recipe!

Remember…
​
EARLY BIRD DRAWING THIS SATURDAY!   
 RAFFLE PRIZE: $100 GROCERY GIFT CARD! 
 ONLY FOR REGISTRATIONS RECEIVED BEFORE JUNE 6 
Encourage your friends to register today !

If you missed Fr. Taylor and Diane Mead’s interview with 
Bruce and Jen on KVSS - Spirit Catholic Radio last Thursday, 
you can still hear it! 
Just go to the Strawberry Brunch website 
and click on the link under Fr. Taylor's picture.

​Watch for the next Strawberry Brunch email and blog post on 
Wednesday, June 10th. We will share some information about 
the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's food pantry and other outreach to neighbors in need.
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Will leave you with a few St. Mother Teresa quotes …. 
“None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.”
“Do extraordinary things with extraordinary love.” 
“Your true character is most accurately measured by how you treat those who can do nothing for you." 
“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” 
“The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service and the fruit of service is peace.”
“Some people come in our life as blessings. Some come in your life as lessons.” ​
You all are blessings to us and those we serve! Thank you for your donation for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Our Mission
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need. 
Serving the Omaha area since 1868, we are part of an international organization, linked by the common mission of our patron St. Vincent de Paul.  
DONATE ONLINE
Your support is greatly appreciated!
ONE MORE THING! 
YOU CAN HELP OUR FOOD PANTRY TOMORROW>>>>
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Strawberry Brunch Countdown!

5/26/2020

 
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Hoping you are now registered for the Strawberry e-Brunch Event!  Enthusiasm is rising as the countdown has begun… 17 days until June 13th!  
 
Be sure to browse this Strawberry Brunch website and come back to visit again next week to see what we’ve added! 
Have a favorite strawberry recipe? Consider sharing by submitting to strawberrybrunch@svdpomaha.com.  New strawberry recipes will be posted on the website soon!  

 

Could you be a virtual hostess this year?  While you would typically be gathering table decorations, deciding on a new table theme, discussing plans for the day with your guests, or coordinating that right outfit to wear that day, none of that applies this year.  Consider something different!  
  • How about gathering virtually with all your guests before or after the event? Look around on our Strawberry Brunch website and click on “How to Host a Zoom Gathering.” 
  • Past Hostess Mary Jo Short and guests are collecting toiletry items for the pantry.  
  • What are your ideas?  Send them to strawberrybrunch@svdpomaha.com.  We’d love to share them!
 
Our Food Pantry, located at 2101 Leavenworth St., is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am to 12:30pm for drive through distribution.  What is a food pantry anyway?  Watch this cute little video below to hear different perspectives…  
 

Consider tuning into KVSS 102.7FM on Thursday, May 28th at 8:40a.m. to hear what Father Taylor and Diane Mead have to say about the upcoming event!  
 
Come back for our next Blog Post on 6/3/2020…We will share some fun facts Father Taylor and a few of our favorite Mother Teresa quotes.  Send us your suggestions to strawberrybrunch@svdpomaha.com.
 
Thanks for your support!  You will be a difference maker for someone who needs help and HOPE!

Welcome to our new blog...

4/25/2020

 
Stay tuned for the latest news and reflections from members of our community. 

    SVdP Omaha

    The Society of St Vincent de Paul Omaha is ​a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need. 
    ​Serving the Omaha area since 1868, we are part of an international organization, linked by the common mission of our patron St. Vincent de Paul.  

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  • Our Work
    • Conferences
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    • Thrift Stores
    • Holy Family
  • Ways to Help
    • Annual Events >
      • Strawberry Brunch
      • Back 2 School Basics
      • Stuff the Bus
      • Giving Tuesday
      • Winter Coat Drives/Giveaway
    • Volunteering
  • News
    • Blog
  • About Us
    • Staff
    • Board
    • Council/Conferences
    • Vincentians >
      • Board Login
      • Council Login
    • Partners
    • District Office
    • Contact
  • DONATE
  • Help Line: ​402-346-5445 or ​helpline@svdpomaha.com