Catholic Charities Celebrates 81 Years Serving Southern Nevada;
Annual ‘Feed Vegas’ Community Event Caps April Activities
As CCSN assesses trends in food and nutrition services, aid from the community by way of donations and volunteering remains essential
In April, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada (CCSN) celebrates its 81st year of serving the Las Vegas Valley since originally opening its doors on April 16, 1941. The nonprofit continues to grow and impact the community through a number of social services, including several different food and nutrition programs: Hands of Hope Community Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels Program and the St. Vincent Lied Dining Facility.
A recent assessment of service outcomes indicates Catholic Charities continues to be effective in providing food and nutrition service to those in need, despite adjustments taken since the onset of the pandemic and recent challenges stemming from worldwide events, including supply chain issues:
- Hands of Hope Community Food Pantry. Catholic Charities has seen a 54% increase in clients served through its food pantry, having served more than 2,200 clients in March of 2021 and now seeing an increase to more than 3,400 clients served in March of 2022. The organization was recently able to shift back to in-person pantry shopping at the end of March, whereas previously it provided clients with preselected boxes as a pandemic-related safety response.
- Meals on Wheels. The nonprofit continues to steadily serve nearly 2,500 homebound seniors through its Meals on Wheels program, which saw an increased client waitlist during the pandemic. The organization focuses on the sustainability of serving the current number of recipients for the program, while looking at the future infrastructure for growth.
- St. Vincent Lied Dining Facility. CCSN reopened the facility in late 2021, welcoming back community members indoors for its free community meal, served daily starting at 10 a.m. On April 29, CCSN will host its special annual “Feed Vegas” community meal, gathering clients and staff to commemorate 81 years of service. Clients from the surrounding area will enjoy a free special bacon cheeseburger meal, served with Western macaroni salad and a chocolate brownie.
“One basic necessity we all need is food. Our agency’s food services are crucial to helping the vulnerable population of people living in our Las Vegas Valley,” said Deacon Tom Roberts, CEO, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada. “We will continue to make an impact for those who need us, and will always accept help from the gracious efforts and contributions from volunteers and donors.”
To ensure the sustainability of its campus, Catholic Charities has made several campus renovations in the last two years, including installation of solar energy and a renovation of its Emergency Men’s Night Shelter among others. It will also relocate its Migration & Refugee Services to create room for further infrastructure for its additional food programs.
CCSN accepts monetary and food donations to support its ongoing efforts. Currently top five needed items are canned protein (Tuna, Chicken, Spam, Canned Ham), canned fruit, canned vegetables, cereal, peanut butter and jelly. To learn more about how to donate to CCSN or volunteer service to one of its many social programs, visit catholiccharities.com/donate.
About Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada
Since 1941, the mission of Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada has been to serve those in need — the most vulnerable — regardless of race, religion, or creed. This leading community resource offers help and hope with dignity as it strives to meet the diverse needs of men, women and children in Southern Nevada. Through the generosity of foundations, grants, organizations, and individual donors, Catholic Charities operates 16 programs providing support to more than 4,200 people daily and encompassing four core areas: Family Services, Food Services, Immigration and Refugee Services, and Homeless and Housing Services. Catholic Charities also operates the largest Meals on Wheels program and Emergency Shelter Services in Southern Nevada. For additional information, please visit CatholicCharities.com.
