Making the world a better place through volunteering

September 28, 2018

Since 1941, the mission of Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada (CCSN) has been to serve those in need — the most vulnerable — regardless of race, religion or creed. As a leading community resource, CCSN 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, CCSN operates 15 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. CCSN also operates the largest Meals on Wheels program and Emergency Shelter Services in southern Nevada.

Volunteers have been, and continue to be, an essential part of carrying out our mission to serve southern Nevadans with dignity. Every day of the year, volunteers are needed to help our programs run. Three programs in particular need regular volunteers to function: The Hands of Hope Community Food Pantry, St. Vincent Lied Dining Facility, and Meals on Wheels. Duties include sorting through donations in the Food Pantry, serving trays of food in the Dining Facility, and preparing meals for Meals on Wheels recipients.

Thomas and Janet have been volunteering in the Hands of Hope Food Pantry since October 2017. During their weekly shift they stock shelves, provide information to clients, and help check people out. “We’ve been enthusiastic about the mission of Catholic Charities since we moved to Las Vegas 34 years ago. We love serving in the Hands of Hope Food Pantry. It is a positive environment where we can meet clients and volunteers who want to make the community a better place.” Volunteers like Thomas and Janet help things to run smoothly in the Food Pantry and other facilities throughout our eight acre campus.

No matter how much time or talent you can offer, everyone can help make a positive change. “We can all make a difference,” said Deacon Tom Roberts, CCSN’s president and CEO. “We can make the world a better place by simply sharing the gifts and talents we’ve been given with others.”