The St. Vincent de Paul Society is present in many parishes throughout the world as an outreach to the poor. In Athens, the Society is sponsored by both St. Paul's and Christ the King University Parish. It has been serving the poor for nearly 20 years.

      DVP provides food for the hungry in most parts of Athens County.
      Our Vincent de Paul volunteers deliver the food to the homes of those who have asked for food.

That is the main function of the society.
 The support for the work for St. Vincent de Paul comes from a monthly envelope parishioners use to fund this work. From these generous donations, food is purchased from the Second Harvest Food Bank in Logan and from other suppliers in Athens. The food is stored in a pantry at Christ the King. The pantry contains shelves for storing the food as well as a walk in refrigeration unit and a walk in freezer unit.  
     Here is how the process of delivering food for the poor works:

    Volunteers are assigned one day a month (Mondays through Fridays).
    The volunteer calls Jobs & Family Services Food Line (1-800-338-4484) which provides the names, address, phone number, and the number of family members of those who requested help for that day.

    The volunteer checks the VDP logs located in the pantry, to make sure that the person requesting help is in our service area, and has not received help from VDP within the last two months.

    The volunteer calls the people on the list for that day to make arrangements for food delivery. If the client has received food within the last two months, the volunteer notifies both the client and Jobs & Family Services that food cannot be delivered. 

    The volunteer then fills out the orders using a guide located in the pantry. The guide is based on family size and recommends enough food for three (3) days. The volunteer then loads the orders in the vehicle and delivers the food. (Usually the food is delivered late in the afternoon or early in the evening.)

    The volunteer also makes a record of the details of the deliveries.

 
   
 One of the best ways to see if this might be an area of ministry that would be good for you is to accompany a volunteer as the volunteer goes through the duties of that day. If you are interested, please find a day that fits in your schedule and send that information by email to a co-ordinator who will put you in touch with the volunteer for the day requested. New volunteers are welcome
To arrange to go on a St. Vincent de Paul Delivery please Roger Menchofer your information about when you would like to go.

  Other ways to help the Society:

 

Work with one of the people who stocks the food pantry. (Nancy Bain)


Help a worker on a shopping trip or a food or supply pickup at the Logan Second Harvest facility. (Nancy Bain)

Sponsor a fundraiser in your dorm or organization.

Help clean and maintain the food pantry. (Nancy Bain)

Pray for the VDP members and the people whom they serve.

For more information about helping St. Vincent de Paul with tasks that help stock and maintain the food pantry, please contact Nancy Bain.

 

 

 

 
   
Thank you very much for your interest in helping the poor through the St. Vincent de Paul Society. We hope this ministry will be a source of growth and grace for you as well as a tremendous help to the hungry of our area. Roger Menchofer, VDP President