St. Isidore’s hopes to help even more people as 10th year nears

    As St. Isidore’s Gift & Thrift in Imperial enters a new year and approaches its first decade of operation, prospects look bright for its work in serving people and families in need.
    That’s the opinion of store manager Bill Sullivan, who has witnessed the growth of the store both in terms of physical size and the number of families served.
    All of the proceeds from St. Isidore’s at 527 Broadway go to help families in need, Sullivan said. That will continue in the new year even more, he hopes.
    During 2017, more than 200 families received some type of help made possible from store profits. That’s a lot of assistance that has even surprised officials in Lincoln, Sullivan said.
    St. Isidore’s operates as an outreach of Catholic Social Services within the Lincoln Diocese. The Imperial thrift store is one of four stores in the diocese that stretches from Lincoln west to Imperial. Other stores are in Lincoln, Hastings and Auburn.
    Opening the store originally at 8th and Broadway in March 2008, Sullivan has served as the store’s only manager.
    He said he’s most proud of how, over the years, the store continues to help individuals and families in need.
    “The store gives us an avenue to provide services to those in need and it also gives us the chance to practice our faith,” he said.
    Through its tie with the diocese and other networking, those services have expanded, he noted.
    For instance, St. Isidore’s Gift & Thrift recently was set up as a partner with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) where application can be made for state benefits for families in need, he noted.
    Kate Davis, who is at the store most of the four days it’s open, serves as the Imperial Emergency Services Coordinator. She works closely with Sullivan on direct emergency services locally, and also helps provide families with a link to other agencies that can help in their individual situations.
Help given in several areas
    From St. Isidore’s profits, assistance to individuals and families comes in several areas, including:
    Assistance in paying utilities, rent or other bills. These funds are restricted to payment for living necessities only. Sullivan emphasized that money is paid directly to the utility company or for rent to landlords “to keep a roof over their heads” in emergencies. Money is not given directly to the recipient, and funds are not provided for items like televisions, cell phones or mortgage payments.
    Basic household goods are sometimes provided directly to families, including beds, cookware, bedding, towels, dishes and other day-to-day needs.
    Food is provided for those without enough to eat or those facing a temporary crisis where money was needed elsewhere.
    Medical equipment is loaned free of charge, including items such as wheelchairs, walkers and portable toilets.
 

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