Currently St. Vincent de Paul St. Henry Conference has several special events happening throughout the year.
For more info contact St Vincent De Paul Society:
The St. Vincent de Paul Society is an international charitable lay Catholic organization established in 1833 by a young college student, Frederic Ozanam. He named the Society after St Vincent de Paul. The first St. Vincent de Paul Conference on the pacific coast was established in Portland Oregon on October 9, 1869.
St. Henry Saint Vincent De Paul (SVDP) Conference has been operating continuously at St Henry Parish for at least 30 years. We have been blessed with the solid support of our Pastors and parishioners over all these years. It provides emergency food assistance to all in need through the operation of a food pantry located in the parish center across the street from the church. Members of this lay society meet monthly in the parish center to pray together, discuss pantry operations, discern how best to meet the needs of those in need of the services provided by SVDP, and to decide how the funds contributed by the parishioners can be most wisely spent in support of the Society’s mission.
“Jesus summoned his disciples and said, "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way."
(Matthew 15: 32)
What can YOU do to answer the call to help the poor?
Our Pantry: The pantry opens each Tuesday and Saturday at 10:00 am. The doors remain open until 35 families have registered for food or twelve o'clock noon, whichever comes first. At that time, we close to new customers, but continue service until all 35 have received their 3-4 day supply of food. Due to the demand, Individuals / families can only receive food assistance from the pantry once each calendar month. They must also reside within our parish boundaries.
The pantry is staffed entirely with volunteers. While most are members of St. Henry parish, we welcome Catholics from other parishes if a member of St. Henry parish knows and can vouch for them. Often former clients want to "give back" by volunteering. We invite them to help us by praying for our success.
Twinning: “Twinning” is a 'special work' of the Society. It takes place when Councils and Conferences in more affluent areas reach out to help their Vincentian Brothers and Sisters in less affluent areas.
Rent and Utilities: We provide assistance in paying rent and utilities when the person we are serving is faced with eviction or the termination of service. This has long been an important mission of the Saint Vincent De Paul Society. Call the St Vincent de Paul Council for assistance at 503-235-8431 9:00am – Noon and again 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Our Homeless: Members of our community who find themselves homeless may receive food and Hygiene products each and every session. Occasionally we have other items available such as blankets, coats, hat and gloves. St Henry St Vincent de Paul Conference has also been helping to supply food items to the Parish Homeless Day Shelter.
Other Opportunities:
Besides pantry operations, there are other opportunities for service.
¨ Prepare and arrange for weekly bulletin announcements..
¨ Substitute on short notice for pantry duties
¨ Serve as an officer of the St Henry Conference
¨ Pray for the success of the conference and its work.
¨ Help maintain email list and send out a regular newsletter to members
¨ Language Translation & being an advocate.
¨ Able to lift 40 lbs and help unload truck and stock shelves
¨ Be responsible for copying paperwork
¨ Media coordinator would prepare and place articles of interest in various forms of media
¨ We have a particular need for help during the Tuesday Session (10am-1pm)
¨ Coordinate a special event, such as friends of the poor walk, specific collections like blankets, socks, school supplies.
Your generous support either finical, material, or your time is greatly appreciated and St. Henry conference couldn’t do it without you.
Pantry clients need certain items that the Conference can’t afford to purchase. Here’s the “Wish List” of items that can be placed in the Red barrels in the entrance vestibules:
We do not accept used clothing; we suggest donating these items to SnowCap
Consider donating items in cloth shopping bags
For more info contact St Vincent De Paul Society
Portland: http://www.svdppdx.org/ ,
National: http://www.svdpusa.org/Home/tabid/36/language/en-US/Default.aspx
International Confederation Offices – Paris
http://www.ozanet.org/ssvpcgi/ssvpcgi3.12_en.asp