November 2024
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SCROLL TO READ THIS MONTH'S STORIES
Message from the Chairman, Board of Directors
Donor's Corner
Nourishing Our Community
Beyond Borders
Caught in the Act
A Harvest Full of Gratitude
Kendra Gives Back
Take a Tour!
Serving Team Calendar
Memorials
Urgent Needs
ICYMI
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
To all our friends, donors, and volunteers, I want to express my gratitude for the support Brother Benno’s receives to help uplift and give hope to people in need. This year we continued to celebrate our 40th anniversary and it was good to step back and remember the hundreds of supporters over the years that became a key part of Brother Benno’s assistance to our neighbors in need. Now we have entered the next 40 years with renewed energy to increase our capability to provide critical assistance to the working poor, those persons who are homeless, and those persons in recovery from substance abuse.
We continue to be encouraged by our food rescue program which saves food received from grocery stores and restaurants from waste and supports hundreds of meals and food boxes distributed each week. Our Essential Service staff and volunteer members are active six days a week in distributing clothing, hygiene products, lunch bags, bus passes, and meeting other special needs of extremely low-income individuals and families. Our Outreach team strives to meet an urgent and increasing need to provide rental assistance to prevent evictions and avoid the risk of be coming homeless. We are particularly pleased with our 26-week substance abuse recovery program which is staffed by dedicated certified counselors.
If you are interested in volunteering to help people in need, please consider volunteering at Brother Benno’s. We have a constant need for volunteers, particularly to fill various positions at differing experience levels. Examples of needed skills are grant writers, financial controller, HR expert, retail clerks for the thrift store, and capital campaign fundraising experience.
The following words from Harold Kutler, our founder, are remembered in carrying out our mission: “Living out the gospel each day means that we humbly serve those in need with love and compassion...They hunger for a smile, a kind word, a prayer. They want the gift of love, compassion, appreciation, caring, or affection. Just touching or hugging someone can free them from their prison of loneliness, and sincerely complementing a person can help remove their blindness to their own goodness.”
Joe McDevitt, Chairman, Board of Directors
DONOR'S CORNER
Dear Friends, Supporters, and Donors of Brother Benno’s,
We have about 25 big irons in the fire that are keeping the staff and volunteers busy. It’s exciting to see everyone working together to improve our services for our guests. I tell my friends that working here is a transformational experience. Not just for our guests, but it also transforms our staff and volunteers. In a very real and tangible way, we see our guests’ lives improve, but we also see on the staff/volunteer side what can be accomplished when we work together as a team.
When the world tells you there is no hope for change, our answer is come to Brother Benno’s and see how change is possible.
You may have heard that the Thrift Shop is changing its hours. That is true and you will see that happen in the not-too-distant future. We did a top to bottom review of the Thrift Shop, and we noticed that for some of our guests the hours of operation are not that convenient. So, we decided to extend the hours in the evening until 8 PM. Keep an eye out for a more detailed notification on our social media.
Finally, not all our efforts are big projects, we have made little improvements as well. I want to give a shout out to the Essential Services team that worked to get the chapel back up to speed. Next time you are here check it out.
So let me close with one of the great truths of our organization, we couldn’t do it without you, so, thank
you and - God bless you all!
Mac
NOURISHING OUR COMMUNITY: Brother Benno's Indoor Market Project
BY KATHLEEN DIEHLMANN
Providing access to food has been a top priority for The Brother Benno Foundation since it started in 1983. Unfortunately, food insecurity continues to be an issue for many of our neighbors in North San Diego County.
To address this issue and uplift the dignity of those we serve, Brother Benno’s has plans to begin construction on a new indoor market in our warehouse at the Brother Benno’s Center. This market will provide our Guests with the opportunity to choose food they need and continue to reduce food waste in our community. The Brother Benno Foundation has been a leader in rescuing food from landfills and helping to get it to those who need it most.
Men and women line up early each morning to pick up food for their family members, including children and grandchildren. Thanks to donations from local farmers and grocery stores, the Brother Benno Foundation distributes fruits and vegetables as well as other food items. The indoor market refrigeration and coolers will help extend the life of perishable and healthy foods.
Please help us with the construction of this important project. Your donation will be doubled by The David C. Copley Foundation, which has generously agreed to match donations for the Indoor Market project up to $10,000 between now and December 15, 2024. Money raised for this project will be used for construction and equipment costs.
Feeding San Diego also made a substantial grant for the construction of the Indoor Market at Brother Benno’s. Thanks to this support, Brother Benno’s plans to provide a food oasis with a goal to prevent hunger and support nutrition in our community.
BEYOND BORDERS: Abundance (and a little fun) Shared
BY ELIAS VELAZQUEZ
Late September, Brother Benno’s embarked on another journey to share its donations south of the border. The Operations team, Rob Sanchez and Elias Velazquez, and a sibling volunteer, Ariel Velazquez, drove a van stuffed with rescued food to the children of the Nazareth Orphanage in Tecate, Mexico. Despite everything in the vehicle being food for orphans in need, the team almost always encounters issues crossing the border.
Even with a letter from the Mother Superior saying that everything in the van is for the kids, border officials still make it difficult to cross. Father Kelly, the primary organizer of the outreach to the orphanage along with St. Elizabeth Seton Church, said the food helps keep the orphanage open. Mexican government officials inspect the orphanage with particular scrutiny on their food panty’s ability to stay stocked, so Brother Benno’s shared donations help keep them full.
After completing the delivery and speaking to the Mother Superior about future needs, Ariel and Elias grabbed a soccer ball they brought out of the van and invited the kids to play a pick-up game. Both of them are fluent in Spanish, which is rare among the outreach teams, so they bonded with the children quickly. They all ended the day laughing and playing soccer together, the nuns and little girls cheering from the shade.
A surprising new face arrived at the orphanage just before our visit – an 8-month-old baby boy. Long-time volunteer Dennis Ofcacek said, “In all my years volunteering here, I have seen toddlers, but never an infant!” This 8-month-old boy is now among those receiving Brother Benno’s donations.
Our ability to share the blessings we receive with those in need goes back to how Brother Benno originally helped the poor and needy in our community. The bond that is created between the one who gives and the one who receives blurs the lines that separate us; it is what has kept Brother Benno’s legacy alive and made the Foundation he inspired as special as it is after all these years.
Staff are collecting items for the next trip specifically to support this baby boy. If you would like to contribute, email Elias at elias.velazquez@brotherbenno.org. He is the coordinator for collecting baby milk formula, diapers (1 year+), baby/infant Clothes (1 Year+).
CAUGHT IN THE ACT! Community Partners, Supporters & Volunteers Making a Difference
We deeply appreciate the support from our community partners, volunteers, and donors. However, we only manage to document a small portion of these acts of kindness. If you have a photo or story you’d like to share, please send it to us at bbnewsletter@brotherbenno.org. We’d be delighted to feature your story!
FRONTWAVE CREDIT UNION MEETING NEEDS
Consumer Lending Supervisor, Joan Perez, coordinated a winter clothing drive across all their offices. Thanks to their generosity, Brother Benno’s received 76 warm sweaters and coats for our Guests.
Holding a drive for clothing, essential items or food for Brother Benno’s is a wonderful way to support our mission. Need help getting started? Check out our guide https://brotherbenno.org/how-to-help/drives/
ERNEST PACKAGING “GIVEMBER” 2024
Marina Vilaysane, Director of Operations, and her Ernest Packaging associate Jackie Hudson delivered a van full of 337 t-shirts for our clothing room mid October!
We are grateful for their support - whether it’s serving breakfast or donating much needed clothing, Ernest Packaging makes an impact!
KEEPING ESSENTIAL ITEMS ORGANIZED
Ron (left) and Robert (right) always willing to lend helping hands around the Center and warehouse. We caught them sorting and storing diapers and essential items.
Those in need can receive personal care items through Essential Services at the Center. Your donated essential items, especially hygiene products, are crucial to uplifting the dignity of those we serve.
A HARVEST FULL OF GRATITUDE
BY ELIAS VELAZQUEZ, VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude for the many blessings in our lives. At Brother Benno's, our greatest blessing is our volunteers who make a significant impact not only to Brother Benno's but to those we serve.
From Brother Benno’s truck drivers who ensure our market shelves are always filled to our Thrift Shop workers who help keep our store running smoothly, each volunteer plays a vital role in helping to fulfill our mission. Special committee volunteers work tirelessly to organize successful fundraisers, holiday meals, celebrations, and administer Brother Benno's scholarship program. Receptionists and greeters welcome visitors with warm smiles and provide essential assistance. Clothing room volunteers, and warehouse workers help distribute essential items and food to those in need. Case workers provide compassionate support and guidance. Tech assistants keep our computer systems, website and email running smoothly. Newsletter production team volunteers and writers keep you informed about activities and events. Volunteers also help prepare the meals, make and bag lunches, and serve a hot breakfast to the working poor and unsheltered with kindness and smiles. And the many additional “hidden hands” who make light work of the countless tasks at Brother Benno’s including our Board of Directors.
Over 175 volunteers (not including several dozen serving teams) embody the spirit of giving. Their dedication makes a world of difference in the lives of those we serve. Harold Kutler's words from Soup, Soap, Hugs, Hope still ring true: 'Volunteers are the heart and soul of Brother Benno's…and we appreciate every single one of them."
Interested in volunteering? Join us for a Tour – we would love to meet you! If you have a special skill or talent that you don’t see covered on our website https://brotherbenno.org/how-to-help/volunteer/ let us know and we will see how we might be able to bring you into the Brother Benno family. Whatever you would like to do at Brother Benno’s, your involvement can be as simple or extensive as you care to make it.
KENDRA GIVES BACK
We’re grateful for the support we receive from local businesses. Whether it is a direct donation or hosted events where a portion of sales is donated to Brother Benno’s, every one of these generous efforts helps us fulfill our mission. Kendra Gives Back is one of those events.
November 30th, from 4-6 pm, Kendra Scott UTC will be holding a special sales event; 20% of purchases made in-store during the event or online 11/30 -12/1 using code GIVEBACK-HTUKP through KendraScott.com will directly benefit the Brother Benno Foundation. (This event is only at the UTC store.)
TAKE A TOUR!
Community members and potential volunteers really enjoy our monthly tours now held twice a month – the first and third Saturdays. THIS MONTH, JOIN US - NOVEMBER 1 & 16
No reservations are necessary so feel free to bring family and friends with you. Tours start at 9:00 a.m.
When coming for a tour, please park on the street and check in at the main entrance (the front door on the right).
SERVING TEAM CALENDAR
We'd love to have your team join us!
Email servingteams@brotherbenno.org
Leave a message: (760) 231-1613
Fill out an application here
MEMORIALS
View your November Memorials here
CLOTHING ROOM
UNDERWEAR
Men’s & Women’s (new)
SOCKS
Men’s & Women’s (new & gently-worn)
BLANKETS
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WHERE TO DROP OFF YOUR DONATIONS (Please package your donations in boxes, bags or disposable containers.)
CLOTHING Donations: Clothing, including shoes, socks, beanies, baseball hats, and gloves are accepted at our Thrift Shop - Tuesdays through Fridays 10:00 AM. – 1:00 PM Saturdays 10:00 AM – noon Donations are accepted in the alley to the right of the building. Please label donations "For the Center."
FOOD & OTHER ESSENTIAL ITEMS Donations: Non-perishable food and drinks, blankets, bath towels, personal hygiene items, and diapers are accepted at the Center, Monday through Friday 6:30 AM - 11:00 AM and Saturday 10:00 AM - noon. (The Center cannot accept clothing, furniture or household items.)
You can also visit our Amazon Wishlist and have needed items shipped directly to us!
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
We are blessed to have The Brother Benno Foundation’s story, services and events shared with the broader public. In case you missed these, the links will take you to the programs so you can listen and watch.
Executive Director, Paul ‘Mac’ McNamara, had an opportunity last month to share the mission of Brother Benno’s and the ways those in need are supported on K-LOVE Radio’s LOCAL CLOSER LOOK Program.
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EMAIL US AT:
bbnewsletter@brotherbenno.org
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(760) 231-1613
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."
~ Melody Beattie
