Our deepest thanks for your generous hearts and your very substantial support of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Michael's Church during an exceptionally challenging year. There was extraordinary need in our area by families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and you
responded with donations 300% greater than prior years.
During 2020, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Michael received more than 4,700 calls to the Charity Line and provided financial assistance of $373,380 to 2,736 individuals. These funds were mostly used to supplement the assistance available from other sources to help pay for past due rent and utilities, as well as other critical needs. Additionally, we provided in-kind assistance, which included food, clothing, and furniture.
The generosity of the parishioners and other SVdP supporters and the amount of assistance provided is absolutely staggering for a volunteer parish ministry. And while the statistics are important, they should not take away from the compassion and concern that is shown to each family that contacts us through the Charity Line.
In 2020, we conducted approximately 1,000 in-person and telephone home visits, which were in the nature of pastoral visits with individuals, many of whom were desperate to reach out to someone who cares. We were told countless times that we were the only organization that called them back (and we did our best to return their calls within 24 hours). In many cases the empathy and compassion shown by the Vincentians meant as much to our Friends-in-Need as did the financial assistance.
Again, our heartfelt thanks for all you have done to support us and for our combined efforts to share the love of Christ with the less fortunate.
If you would like to make a donation to our St. Michael SVdP Conference, please
click here or place a check with a notation for St. Michael SVdP in the weekend collection or bring it to the church office.
If you feel called to join our ministry and would like additional information, please contact us at
svdpatstmichael@gmail.com.