Breakfast honors CCS of Northern Utah benefactors

IC photo/Marie Mischel

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Fr. Kenneth Vialpando, the diocesan vicar for clergy, speaks at the 2019 Catholic Community Services of Northern Utah's Dream Builder's Breakfast, held May 15 at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center.

OGDEN — More than 500 people gathered in the Ogden Eccles Conference Center on May 15 as Catholic Community Services of Northern Utah held its annual Dream Builder’s Breakfast.

Last year, CCS of Northern Utah fed 89,000 people, of whom 60 percent were children. During the government shutdown, they served 523 families and their 1,411 dependents. Their Bridging the Gap program served more than 40,000 schoolchildren with meals for the weekend when they are not in school. Other CCS programs include the St. Martha’s Baby Project, which gave out 616 layettes to new mothers in need. In addition, CCS was able to increase by 121 percent the number of clients who receive case management.

The community helps CCS fight hunger, said Bob Hunter, the master of ceremonies for the breakfast. “There’s more to it than just filling somebody’s tummy with food, which is really important, but in cooperation with all the agencies here, we’re lifting lives, and we’re helping people get educated … and become self-sufficient, and that, of course, is the end goal.”

During the breakfast, several awards were presented by Bradford R. Drake, CCS executive director; Maria Recto, chairperson of the CCS Northern Utah Advisory Board; and Maresha Bosgieter, director of CCS Northern Utah.

For those being honored, public acknowledgement “isn’t why any of them do what they do, and they don’t want the recognition for it,” Bosgieter said, “but as a nonprofit, this is the way that we can express our appreciation for the amazing things that they all do for us.”

The 2019 Community Partner Award was presented to the Arby’s Foundation, which helped create the Bridging the Gap program and continues to be a major sponsor for it, Bosgieter said. “This program really would not be without their continued support.”

Vicki Mager, recipient of the 2019 Community Advocate Award, responds to every request for help “with a joyful ‘yes,’” Bosgieter said, saying that Mager comes in every week to assemble layettes, put together pantry packs, has served on the organization’s advisory board and constantly advocates for CCS programs.

The recipient of the 2019 Humanitarian Award was the Wadman Corporation, which built CCS’ new warehouse last year. Their employees volunteer at the food pantry, help with the holiday food distribution and have conducted food drives at their annual golf tournament, Bosgieter said.

Blake Wahlen, a past chairperson for CCS Northern Utah, received the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award. He and his wife, Jana, “are so gracious and caring with our clients; it’s heartwarming to watch!” Bosgieter said.

During the breakfast, Fr. Gustavo Vidal, pastor of St. Mary Parish, gave the invocation.

Father Kenneth Vialpando, the diocesan vicar for clergy, speaking on behalf of Bishop Oscar A. Solis, thanked CCS’ benefactors, volunteers, and personnel for the work that they have done to reach out to those in need.

The benediction was given by Bishop Bobby Allen, pastor of Griffin Memorial Church of God in Christ and Prelate for the Utah Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ.