St. Vincent de Paul

The St. Louise chapter of St. Vincent de Paul has seen a large increase in requests for assistance in the past few weeks and expect this increase to continue.  St. Vincent de Paul helps local people with groceries, utilities and rent assistance.  Please partner with St. Vincent de Paul and donate.

Contact:

Allen Ballinger or Carole Cote
425-214-5478
[email protected]

Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise Conference, is a volunteer organization inspired by Gospel values to live and grow in our Christian faith through prayer and personal involvement in charitable works:

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)

Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul strives to serve all who come to its doors seeking help. We do not discriminate on the basis of skin color, background, or faith, and we collaborate with other organizations to empower people to achieve self-sufficiency.

The Society’s mission is to help people in need survive whatever crisis they are facing – financial, medical, emotional, or spiritual – and “get back on their feet.” Direct aid or assistance is at the center of the work of the local Conferences. Assistance is offered on a personal basis and is provided with respect and dignity. 

Who We Are:

Many times people have heard of St. Vincent de Paul through their church or know someone who has been helped in the past. So how do we work? How does SVdP operate within St. Louise Parish?

Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Vincentians) are men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to individuals in need. We are volunteers, young and old, men and women, all blessed with an awareness that our blessings (time, talent & treasures) are to be shared with our brothers and sisters in need.

Once we have determined what the needs are, we work on assisting in practical ways. This may include financial help, transportation assistance, food assistance, educational guidance, or medical help. If we do not have the resources to assist clients, we do our best to refer the client to an agency or organization who may be able to help.

How to Serve:

We are called to serve one another, and we are blessed to share our time, talents, and treasures with those in need. There are several ways to get involved in the St. Louise SVdP team to make a difference in our community.

1. In-Person Interviews at the Parish Office: Team members meet face-to-face with “clients” in need of help with rent, energy bills, food, clothing, or other issues. We review each situation with the client and, as appropriate, provide funding and/or referrals to other organizations. Teams rotate weekly.

2. Onsite visits in client’s homes: Offers same options listed above. Often, having someone to talk to is the best gift we can give. This ministry function is always done in teams and provides more insight into the help that is being requested.

The only qualifications needed are a caring heart and a background check. Training is provided. We welcome new members. Please see the Job Descriptions link for more details.

Participate in our events:

• “Stuff the Truck” (formerly Bundle Sunday). One weekend each year a St. Vincent de Paul truck is available after all Masses for receiving usable household items and clothing. Consider volunteering your time to help receive the items and organize the truck.  Items SVDP CAN NOT SELL

• Donate food to the St. Vincent de Paul bins located in the Church vestibule. Food is stored in a food pantry in the Parish office and dispersed to the many that come to us for food help. Food drives at St Louise School, initiated by teachers and/or students are a wonderful source of support.

• Donate your useable household items, clothing. Call St. Vincent de Paul dispatch at 206) 767-9975 option 1 to schedule a pick up.

• Monetary support. Any help is most appreciated. St. Louise’s Conference regularly spends 99% of its cash donation directly on supporting client needs.

Time commitments are flexible. We welcome any time you can give to this very worthy cause. We do ask that home visits be done in pairs, so this can be an ideal ministry for couples who want to serve together. SVdP provides support every day of the week. Volunteers must complete a St. Vincent de Paul background check; and for home visits should be adults. Other positions are open to individuals’ junior high age and above.

Need Help? To reach St. Vincent de Paul’s Helpline, please call 206-767-6449 or 425-214-5478; or send an email to [email protected]  

Mission:

Our mission has endured for almost 180 years. It is the road map for explaining who we are and what we do.

“Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic volunteer organization, leads individuals to join together to offer person-to-person service to the poor and the suffering. And in doing this work, we all enrich our lives spiritually.”

“When people need help, we’ll be there.” That is our calling. We serve everyone. Period.

Motto: No Act of Charity is Foreign to the Society.

Our 2020 annual report
Our 2021 annual report