Local philanthropists to match gifts Up to $40,000
#GivingTuesday kicks-off the charitable giving season on Tuesday, November 30 and Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada is asking donors to make their #GivingTuesday contributions to the St. Vincent’s Dining Room, Reno’s original “soup kitchen.” Community champion Western Nevada Supply has generously provided an inspirational $5,000 matching gift additionally, anonymous donors have provided a matching opportunity bringing the total to $40,000.
Held each year on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, #GivingTuesday is the global generosity movement meant to encourage community members to make donations to local charities as part of their holiday plans. Catholic Charities will be using the Diocese of Reno’s #iGiveCatholic platform this year as well as accepting donations on its website.
“#GivingTuesday reminds all of us that it is just as important to give as it is to receive during the holiday season,” said Marie Baxter, CEO of Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada. “Our goal is to raise $80,000 so that we may provide 32,000 hot meals to our community’s homeless and working poor neighbors seven days a week, 365 days a year. Our St. Vincent’s Dining Room depends upon the generosity of our community donors, and we hope the generous matching gifts from philanthropists like Western Nevada Supply and our anonymous donors inspires everyone to make a gift, whether it is five dollars or five thousand, every dollar means that a hungry neighbor will not have to go without a meal.”
Throughout the past 60 years, the St. Vincent’s Dining Room has grown from a “soup kitchen” to a full-scale program that provides a hot, nutritious meal to all who are hungry seven days a week (including holidays). Since its beginning, the organization has served more than three million free meals and averages 400 people per day. Additionally, each day 600 to-go meals (lunch and dinner) are delivered to the CARES Campus.
For some, a hot meal has been an entry point to additional services where they find their footing and rise up out of poverty. Several former clients are now volunteers or staff members giving back to the programs that helped them in a time of need.
Historically, 70 percent of people who have been served in the St. Vincent’s Dining Room have been those who are chronically homeless and many have mental health and/or substance abuse challenges. The hot meal St. Vincent’s provides helps them care for themselves in the most basic way. The other 30 percent of individuals served pre-COVID were the working poor and people down on their luck. Amidst the pandemic, St. Vincent’s has seen a shift in those they are serving to more of a 50/50 split. Of those individuals who are considered “working poor”, many have a place to stay but may not have enough to afford every meal. A hot meal at the Dining Room allows them to stretch their budget.
A donation of $50 will fund 15 meals. To help St. Vincent’s Dining Room meet the demand and feed those who are hungry in our community visit https://reno.igivecatholic.org/organizations/catholic-charities-of-northern-nevada to make your donation. Donations can be made now to be processed on November 30.
About Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada
Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada, Established in 1941, Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada (CCNN) is a Nevada-based, 501(c) (3) tax-exempt, non-profit corporation operating human service programs including: St. Vincent’s Dining Room, St. Vincent’s Food Pantry, St. Vincent’s Resource Hub, Battle Born Housing Plus, Immigration Assistance and others. CCNN is committed to providing help and creating hope in our community. From infants to seniors, CCNN assists approximately 40,000 people per month in northern Nevada. For more information on Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada, visit ccsnn.org
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