So what is the Society of St. Vincent de Paul?
We are a society of people on a spiritual journey, trying to increase our knowledge of and participation in God’s plan for us. One of the ways we grow spiritually is to help our neighbors in times of need and SVDP is the perfect vehicle for facilitating this help.
We are a Society of . . . . . . listening to people’s struggles and hardships and trying to help them in the best way we can.
We are a Society of . . . . . .help, keeping a family out of the dark by paying their electric bill; keeping a roof over a family’s head when eviction threatens.
We are a Society of . . . . . food bags delivered with a smile, of dignity delivered to those who need it most – a fresh perspective and a view of the possibilities.
We are a Society of . . . . . . promise for the future by helping with tuition, providing clothing and shoes for a child returning to school, or we are that gentle nudge to finish high school or complete a GED.
We are a Society of . . . . smiles and a listening ear; hope for those who feel as if they will never stop struggling, to those who see no light at the end of the tunnel.
We are a Society of . . . . . a hot shower, fresh laundry and a filling meal for the homeless, of one person’s cast offs being turned into another person’s treasures, of children’s smiles at Christmas time.
We are a Society of ...dentures and a confident smile for those who thought they could never smile again.
How to Give
Your financial donation can help Vincentians provide assistance to the poor in Northwest Florida. By doing so, you can help a neighbor family that is experiencing trouble, to receive food or to get assistance with their electricity or heating bills and not have these services shut off. SVDP's help with rent payments can keep a family from becoming homeless.
Together, we can make a difference for them. By the combination of your donations and our work, together we can partner to share our resources with the men, women, and children in our community who look to us for help.
To respect the wishes of those who donate to us, we do our best to verify the legitimacy of our clients' claims of need before providing any assistance.
Reasons to Donate
- Donating alms to help the poor has been a Christian custom since Apostolic times.
- By your donations, you help Vincentians help those in need. Your donations are the only way that many of the poor will receive any help.
- Many people wish to follow this custom of almsgiving and will send regular donations to the Society such as making monthly, quarterly, or annual gifts to help the poor.
- Others will give a donation to SVDP at Thanksgiving or Christmas time in thanksgiving to God for the blessings they have received throughout the year.
- Many will make a donation to SVDP in thanksgiving for a special or fortunate event in their lives.
- Families often request that bereavement memorials be made to SVDP in memory of a loved one who has died.
Ways to Donate
- Online - We use PayPal which is one of the leading web-based financial transaction companies. They are best known for their association with eBay.
Payments go directly to us via PayPal, but we do not see your confidential credit card information. - Poor Box - If your parish has a St. Vincent de Paul Conference, they may have a SVDP poor box in the rear of your church.
- Collections at Church - Many SVDP conferences have monthly collections, some get donations from their local parish church. Some parishes have envelopes and online donations. There may also be a special collections for SVDP.
- By Mail - You may mail your donation to the Society, either to the District Council or your local parish conference. Please mail the checks to the SVDP Council of Pensacola-Tallahassee office at P. O. Box 17645, Pensacola, FL 32522, or to your local Conference via your parish. Please make checks payable to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul. If sending to your parish, please clearly mark your envelope as being for The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and conference name to avoid getting confused with other parish envelopes.
- Bequests as Part of your Estate - You can name St. Vincent de Paul as a beneficiary in your estate. Many wish to leave a part of their estate in order to continue helping the poor and needy after they die.
You can arrange a contribution to St. Vincent de Paul through a living trust by naming the St. Vincent de Paul District Council of Pensacola-Tallahassee as the ultimate beneficiary. This method of giving is attractive because you retain complete control of the assets during your lifetime. You can designate the purpose of your gift or allow it to become part of our monetary reserves, helping to insure our continuing work for the Florida Panhandle's people in need. Your attorney can help you with all your estate planning needs. - Food Donations - Many parishes and schools conduct regular food collections for the SVDP food pantry. Many parishes will have a food box in the rear of the church to accept your donations of food items.
- Furniture & LARGE APPLIANCES - Furniture can be sold by SVDP and the revenue generated pays for food, housing, heating, medicines, etc. for those in need.
Large appliances can be given directly to the poor.
There is a huge need for these items. - PRAYERS - Please pray for our clients, and for our success in helping them.
- CALL US TODAY! - We are more than happy to make time to discuss your generous donation. Please call (850) 434-6615 and a Vincentian will be more than happy to talk with you.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR GENEROSITY IN HELPING US HELP OTHERS.For more information of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, visit our national website www.svdpusa.org.
