IzzyCampie

For senior Callie Verzal, what began as a way to fulfill National Honor Society requirements has turned into a passion for helping others. Since October 2023, Verzal has volunteered nearly every Saturday at Omaha’s Heart Ministry Center. “I started because I needed the required service hours for the National Honor Society, but I fell in love with the place and the people and kept going,” Verzal said.

The Heart Ministry Center and its volunteers emphasize the center’s guiding principle: dignity for all. “Our mission is to provide food, healthcare and a way forward for people severely impacted by poverty in Omaha,” Rick Berger said. Berger is the Chief Development Officer at the Heart Ministry Center. “Our Choice Food Pantry provides about 4 million pounds of food for our community members annually, and our Monen Health Clinic will provide free medical, dental, vision, mental health, and other services to 6,000 people in 2024,” Berger said. Beyond food and healthcare, the center’s “A Way Forward” program offers resources to help individuals become self-sufficient.

These services rely on volunteers like Verzal, whose passion and commitment to service has earned her and her family the Volunteer of the Year award—known as the Heart Hero Award. Berger speaks on the impact Verzal’s family has had, sharing that her warmth makes her stand out as a volunteer. “When someone comes to the Heart Ministry Center, sometimes the smile they receive is the only smile they will get that day. Verzal and her family engage directly with our community members in the pantry by greeting them with a smile and genuine gratitude that they can be of service,” Berger said.

Verzal’s involvement includes working in both the weekday indoor pantry and the Saturday “drive-thru” pantry, where she helps pack and deliver bags of food to families in need. “It is really rewarding being able to connect and hear everyone’s story when helping them through the pantry,” Verzal said. Her dedication doesn’t go unnoticed by the Heart Ministry staff. “What’s great about Callie and her family is they volunteer nearly every weekend, which is incredible,” Berger said.

Service at Heart Ministry has taught Verzal lessons that extend far beyond volunteering. She recalls meeting Jimmy King, the center’s food distribution manager, whose life journey has shaped her perspective. “When he was younger he lost his brother and he turned to drugs and ended up in jail serving time. He found the Heart Ministry and completely turned his life around. Every day he shows up to Heart with the most contagious positive attitude…He taught me to leave my problems at the door because no matter what I’m going through, it is nothing compared to the people needing food in the pantry,” Verzal said.

Verzal’s commitment aligns with Marian’s core value of service. “Being able to go to Marian has been such a life-changing experience for me, and I think that the core values have a lot to do with that. We are so fortunate at Marian and in the community that we have, and I think that it is only right that we give back to that community and help those around us in any way possible,” Verzal said. Young people like Verzal bring a fresh sense of gratitude and energy to Heart Ministry’s work. “We receive by giving. Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to give back in gratitude for all our blessings. The expressions of thankfulness of our community members touch your heart and you experience that feeling of knowing your efforts are making the difference in someone’s life,” Berger said.

For Verzal, the experience has become monumental. “Service to me means helping others and expecting nothing in return. It means connecting with others…and hoping to make a change along the way,” Verzal said. She plans to continue volunteering during college and beyond. Reflecting on her journey, Verzal encourages others to step into service, hoping they find as much meaning as she has. “I really hope people go out and serve their community and fully embrace what it means to serve others because it is life-changing.”