Catholic Social Services (CSS) brought together volunteers from across the diocese this month for a day of community, compassion and hands-on service. The event, rooted in the spirit of “neighbors serving neighbors,” offered diocesan members the opportunity to live their faith through action.
The event, held Wednesday, June 11 in an open-house style gathering, united parishioners, students, families and clergy from all corners of the diocese to support CSS ministries. Volunteers spent the day packing care bags for individuals experiencing homelessness, seniors facing loneliness and families in need.
“We are putting together more than 1,000 kits that will serve youth, the homeless, seniors and people living with disabilities. There will be snack kits and also hygiene kits that will be distributed throughout the community after today’s event,” explained Diana Pagan, community engagement specialist at CSS. “We have 80 people registered to volunteer, and we’re anticipating that more than 100 will come out to help.”
Pagan coordinates volunteerism with CSS outreach programs, including the organization’s Our Lady of Guadalupe (OLG) Center, which is located on the west side of Columbus and serves the Latino community.
Volunteer Day served as a living example of the diocesan mission: putting faith into action by caring for the poor and marginalized. Throughout the day, participants reflected on Catholic Social Teaching, connected with individuals from different parishes and saw how small acts of service can make a big difference.
The day of service highlighted the deep generosity and unity in the Columbus diocese as CSS continues its mission to transform lives and strengthen families. It was a reminder that, when neighbors come together to serve, the whole community is blessed.
“This was a day to be the hands and feet of Christ,” said Julie Naporano, vice president of development at CSS. “It’s more than just volunteering. It’s about standing in solidarity with those we serve and showing that every person is a valued part of our community.”
The event included a free participant t-shirt and lunch provided by Taquizas El Cobijas, owned by Martin Garcia, a graduate of CSS’ business incubator program.
Taquizas El Cobijas provides catering services for private events and small festivals. Garcia served Mexican street food to participants during CSS’ volunteer day. His business was one of the first to complete the organization’s Mercadito Raices (Root Market), a small business incubator program offered at the OLG Center.
Kelley Henderson, president and CEO at CSS, said Mercadito Raices was founded about three years ago for Spanish-speaking clients at the OLG Center desiring to start a business.
“Jesse and Martin Garcia were a couple of our clients who had a business before in Chicago. Then COVID happened and their restaurant struggled to stay afloat, so they relocated to Columbus. They started in our small business incubator and have emerged very successfully,” Henderson said.
The program helped the Garcias and other clients do business in Franklin County. They learned about acquiring permits, insurance, banking and filing taxes. In addition to teaching individuals how to be successful entrepreneurs in the community, CSS offered financial support to get businesses started.
Jesse and Martin, who participated in the program in 2023, returned and currently serve in the peer group. They encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs by showing that success is possible.
The program’s Latino-based businesses include food, lawn care, cleaning, coaching and product vendors. The 2023 class, which had nine participants, has since achieved double digits and continues growing.
“Last year, we had both a 19- and 22-entrepreneur class,” Henderson noted. “And now, we have a class of 35, which we expect to graduate in August – 35 new businesses that are creating jobs in Columbus.”
For more information about upcoming volunteer opportunities with CSS, visit www.colscss.org/volunteer or call 614-857-1232.