Catholic Social Services Opens New Hastings Facility

HASTINGS, Neb. — Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska opened its new facility in Hastings earlier this week.

After 15 years, the non-profit organization relocated from its century-old building with the vision of providing a more comfortable and welcoming environment for the community. They reopened earlier this week at their new location at at 124 South Colorado Avenue in Hastings.

Regional Director Jon Kiehl says the previous three-story building created challenges for serving clients, including limited lighting, a lack of public seating areas, and no handicapped access to upper levels.

Kiehl adds he's already seeing a difference in its clients' experience, "You know, sometimes I see people who come in and they have to just take their meal and they go out and sit on the sidewalk. Now we have this warm place where they could come in, maybe have a cup of coffee and some tea. Enjoy their sandwich, maybe visit the chapel or play a game of chess together."

CSS serves nearly 500 sack lunches each week, assists about 2,000 individuals each year through Family Support Services to provide financial assistance, and the St. Gianna Program supports survivors of domestic violence and under-supported pregnancies.

This is just the first phase in the organization's facility overhaul as they're finishing a warehouse that'll help them collect, store, and provide furniture to those in need. The St. Joseph Gift and Thrift Store will remain at its current location until early next year, when a new building adjacent to the CSS facility is completed.