THE LUZERNE FOUNDATION COMMUNITY CHAMPION OF THE WEEK THE Luzerne FOUNDATION Here for good. Community Champion of the Week: Catholic Social Services Every day of the year- including weekends and holidays - Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton is quietly at work across northeastern Pennsylvania helping our neighbors who are hungry, homeless, struggling or alone. Last year alone, Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen in Wilkes-Barre served 122,079 meals to individuals and families in need. Saint Joseph's Food Pantry in Hazleton distributed 5,510 food boxes, assisting 6,738 people facing food insecurity. And 12,573 nights of shelter were provided to individuals of our region's largest cities through our three emergency shelters, providing our brothers and sisters help when they have nowhere else to turn. Behind every number is a person - a mother trying to feed her children, a senior Catholic choosing between medication and groceries, or someone simply searching for hope. That hope is often found through programs like Bridge to Independence, Social Services a transitional housing program in Hazleton, which OF THE DIOCESE OF SCRANTON supports young adults ages 18 to 26 living with mental health challenges. Many participants arrive carrying burdens most people could hardly imagine. Recently, one young man entered the program with only a third- grade education after years of homelessness and constant moving disrupted his childhood. With guidance, encouragement, and stability from Catholic Social Services staff, he earned his GED and is now attending Lackawanna College while building a future that once seemed impossible. Stories like his unfold every day through the work of Catholic Social Services. They happen because staff members, volunteers, donors, and community partners believe every person deserves dignity, compassion, and the opportunity to move forward. This mission of hope and human dignity will take center stage on Wednesday, June 10, when Catholic Social Services welcomes the national People of Hope Museum to Nay Aug Park in Scranton. The free traveling exhibit, presented by Catholic Charities USA, invites visitors to encounter powerful stories of poverty, service, and transformation from communities across the country. Through immersive exhibits and firsthand testimonies, the experience challenges visitors not only to see the struggles many people face, but also to recognize the difference compassion can make. We invite you to learn more about our work and even get involved in making northeastern Pennsylvania a better place-between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. that day! Because for Catholic Social Services, our work is not occasional - it is a 365-day commitment to serving our brothers and sisters in need and reminding people they are never forgotten. In every meal served, every shelter bed provided, and every life restored, hope continues to grow throughout our communities. To learn more about volunteer opportunities or ways to support the organization through donations, please contact Catholic Social Services at 570-455-1521. Working together makes our community stronger. If you have a cause near to your heart and want to make a difference here in Northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond, please call us at the Luzerne Foundation or visit www.luzfdn.org for more information. Do you want to make our community better? So do we. Let's do it together. Because of you and for you, we are... Here for good. T THE LUZERNE FOUNDATION 34 SOUTH RIVER ST. WILKES-BARRE, PA 18702 WWW.LUZFDN.ORG 570.822.2065 THE LUZERNE FOUNDATION COMMUNITY CHAMPION OF THE WEEK THE Luzerne FOUNDATION Here for good . Community Champion of the Week : Catholic Social Services Every day of the year- including weekends and holidays - Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton is quietly at work across northeastern Pennsylvania helping our neighbors who are hungry , homeless , struggling or alone . Last year alone , Saint Vincent de Paul Kitchen in Wilkes - Barre served 122,079 meals to individuals and families in need . Saint Joseph's Food Pantry in Hazleton distributed 5,510 food boxes , assisting 6,738 people facing food insecurity . And 12,573 nights of shelter were provided to individuals of our region's largest cities through our three emergency shelters , providing our brothers and sisters help when they have nowhere else to turn . Behind every number is a person - a mother trying to feed her children , a senior Catholic choosing between medication and groceries , or someone simply searching for hope . That hope is often found through programs like Bridge to Independence , Social Services a transitional housing program in Hazleton , which OF THE DIOCESE OF SCRANTON supports young adults ages 18 to 26 living with mental health challenges . Many participants arrive carrying burdens most people could hardly imagine . Recently , one young man entered the program with only a third- grade education after years of homelessness and constant moving disrupted his childhood . With guidance , encouragement , and stability from Catholic Social Services staff , he earned his GED and is now attending Lackawanna College while building a future that once seemed impossible . Stories like his unfold every day through the work of Catholic Social Services . They happen because staff members , volunteers , donors , and community partners believe every person deserves dignity , compassion , and the opportunity to move forward . This mission of hope and human dignity will take center stage on Wednesday , June 10 , when Catholic Social Services welcomes the national People of Hope Museum to Nay Aug Park in Scranton . The free traveling exhibit , presented by Catholic Charities USA , invites visitors to encounter powerful stories of poverty , service , and transformation from communities across the country . Through immersive exhibits and firsthand testimonies , the experience challenges visitors not only to see the struggles many people face , but also to recognize the difference compassion can make . We invite you to learn more about our work and even get involved in making northeastern Pennsylvania a better place - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. that day ! Because for Catholic Social Services , our work is not occasional - it is a 365 - day commitment to serving our brothers and sisters in need and reminding people they are never forgotten . In every meal served , every shelter bed provided , and every life restored , hope continues to grow throughout our communities . To learn more about volunteer opportunities or ways to support the organization through donations , please contact Catholic Social Services at 570-455-1521 . Working together makes our community stronger . If you have a cause near to your heart and want to make a difference here in Northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond , please call us at the Luzerne Foundation or visit www.luzfdn.org for more information . Do you want to make our community better ? So do we . Let's do it together . Because of you and for you , we are ... Here for good . T THE LUZERNE FOUNDATION 34 SOUTH RIVER ST . WILKES - BARRE , PA 18702 WWW.LUZFDN.ORG 570.822.2065