Thanks to you, our second year of Grow Local, Give Local was even more successful than the first!
During that first year of Grow Local, Give Local, you stepped up and gave more than $5,000 to purchase produce from refugee farmers to be donated to St. Francis House Food Pantry. Throughout the summer, you provided income for refugees and healthy, locally grown vegetables for families in need. We were so impressed by your…
CSS programs help refugees flourish with community support
Lisa DH Aquino | June 2021 | The North Star Catholic June 20th is World Refugee Day, a day celebrated internationally to honor refugees worldwide – those who have fled war, violence, conflict, or persecution, and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country. We spend this time celebrating the strength of…
CSS Lenten food drive a success
Lisa DH Aquino | April 2021 | The North Star Catholic “The food is falling off the shelves.” You can imagine my delight and gratitude when our AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America), Katie Gordon, told me how crowded the shelves at St. Francis House Food Pantry were this week because we had so…
Caring for High-Risk Guests at Brother Francis Shelter During COVID-19
Catholic Social Services and Brother Francis Shelter worked through a range of strategic updates to ensure that those who needed it would have access to a safe and warm place to stay throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Small acts of kindness help make our communities better places to live
Lisa DH Aquino | February 2021 | The North Star Catholic “None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.”– Mother Teresa Mother Teresa’s words are so timely. Our city, our state, our country, and our world continue to…
A hard winter is upon us. Let’s be there for each other.
Lisa DH Aquino| November 1, 2020 | Anchorage Daily News Opinion Anchorage, winter is here and in some ways this winter already feels darker than most we have known. Our community, our country and our world are all facing some of the greatest challenges we have ever known. Our world is facing a pandemic and more…
A Successful Growing Season at Grow North Farm
Winter is coming to Grow North Farm. The garden beds are tucked in under a layer of burlap sacks, the paths are freshly wood-chipped and prepared for the coming frosts, and the last vegetables of the season are quickly selling out at the farm stand. After a whirlwind of a growing season, it feels like…
Medical Respite Garden at Brother Francis Shelter
The Medical Respite Program at Brother Francis Shelter started a garden this summer. The garden has been a space for clients to enjoy the outdoors and recover. Many of the guests have spent time in the garden caring for the plants, and have expressed just how much they enjoy the space. One guest in particular…
Positive Covid-19 Cases at Brother Francis Shelter
In light of the recent cases among guests at Brother Francis Shelter (BFS) we feel it is important for you to hear from us regarding this news. We care deeply about the health and safety of clients and staff and we will continue to do all we can to keep each and every person safe. …
Reflecting on community support and our work at CSS
Written by Robin Dempsy, Chief Program Officer I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy as we practice social distancing and hunkering down. If we haven’t met, my name is Robin Dempsey and I am the Chief Program Officer. As the Chief Program Officer, I have the privilege of working with…