Catholic Charities Celebrates 82 Years Serving Southern Nevada and Asks for Community Support to Further Program Efforts

In April, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada (CCSN) celebrates its 82^nd 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 due to issues being faced across the nation, including increasing food costs, inflation rates and recent expiration of pandemic-era supplemental programs like SNAP Emergency Allotments.

·        Hands of Hope Community Food Pantry. Amid rising inflation, Catholic Charities has continued to offer grocery items for clients. In 2022, the organization distributed more than 2.1 million pounds of food to nearly 30,000 people in need. As part of their Thanksgiving holiday efforts, Catholic Charities gave out turkeys and other seasonal items to more than 3,000 families. The organization is also preparing to ramp up their efforts to support and assist vulnerable community members as pandemic-era SNAP benefits go away.

·        Meals on Wheels. The nonprofit steadily serves more than 2,300 homebound seniors through its Meals on Wheels program in Las Vegas and North Las Vegas. Last year alone, CCSN delivered nearly 900,000 meals to 4,814 homebound seniors at no cost to the clients. The organization focuses on the sustainability of serving the current number of recipients for the program, while looking at the future infrastructure for growth. Recently, Catholic Charities unveiled new meal delivery trucks donated by the Caesars Entertainment.

St. Vincent Lied Dining Facility. On average CCSN serves nearly 500 community members a day for its free community meal. The daily meal is served at 10 a.m. and offers a hot, nutritious food to those in need. On April 28, CCSN will host its special annual “Feed Vegas” community meal. This year the “Feed Vegas” meal is sponsored by MGM Resorts International and will gather clients, MGM staff and volunteers alike to commemorate 82 years of service. All are welcome to enjoy Caesar salad, assorted rolls and cornbread, chicken cacciatore and braised short ribs, mashed potatoes, broccolini, roasted baby carrots and assorted desserts.

“Since opening our doors in 1941, we have continued our mission of providing hope through food, shelter and comprehensive services for our vulnerable brothers and sisters in need throughout the Las Vegas Valley,” said Deacon Tom Roberts, CEO, 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.”

As a community resource, CCSN leans on their hundreds of volunteers and donors to further the organization’s mission. In 2022, more than 11,000 hours of service was provided by their 1,342 volunteers across nine different services including: serving at the daily Community Meals and Hands of Hope Food Pantry, tutoring the virtual English Language Classroom and volunteering remotely to build hygiene and baby kits that are distributed to community members in need.

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, pasta, 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 4,000 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.

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