St. Vincent de Paul – Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Indianapolis Archdiocesan Council, Inc.

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Our mission

Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) is an international organization of men and women joined together in spiritual growth through service to those who are in need and suffering. Believing we are all created in God’s image, we offer assistance with empathy, trust and friendship, while preserving the utmost dignity and confidentiality.

SVdP also offers special programs to help people determined to change their circumstances rise above generational poverty. Our Changing Lives Forever program provides opportunities to learn how to build a sustainable, stable lifestyle, free from the challenges that come with being in constant need.

Social justice is at the very heart of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

In Proverbs, 31:8, we are called to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.”

This calling has guided our work at SVdP since our beginnings and continues today. We believe in the sacredness of every human life and do not tolerate racism and exclusion in any form. We call on members of the Body of Christ to help bring about reconciliation in our communities. Pray for those who work for peace and justice. Advocate for policies that combat racism. And, perhaps most importantly, examine your heart for how you can promote unity, support one another, and end racial divide.

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I need help

Our clients come to St. Vincent de Paul with a variety of needs. We feed and clothe the hungry. We provide beds to those who need not sleep on cold floors. We provide clean, used appliances––refrigerators to keep foods fresh, and washers to keep clothes clean. We make house visits with food to those who are shut-in. We have a medical clinic available to help too!

Do you find yourself with basic needs that you just cannot meet? With the utmost of dignity and confidentiality, our all-volunteer help force provides person-to-person assistance to the homeless and working poor.

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I want to help

Do you often wonder what you could do to make a difference in the lives of others? At St. Vincent de Paul, we offer countless ways to match the needs of the homeless and working poor with those who can offer their own resources of time, gifts, and means. We believe that everyone has God-given gifts and talents that may be shared with others. Through the simple, yet profound act of giving is found meaning, fulfillment and purpose. And through these acts, we do change peoples’ lives.

Our all-volunteer help force consists of people just like yourself. And our commitment to good stewardship of resources ensures that all donations are used wisely to serve those in our community with unmet needs.

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Our Programs

Our mission revolves around servant leadership and leadership development of students which is accomplished through community service and learning opportunities. St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Indianapolis was a wonderful place for our students to volunteer because everyone was so hospitable and welcoming to our help. The trip was very successful and our students are now very well prepared to serve others in need.

Emily S.

Volunteer Leader for Students Today-Leaders Tomorrow / South Elgin High School

Volunteering at the food pantry has given me a reason to get up every morning, and a new sense of purpose. The volunteers have become like family to me. There is great need in our community for volunteer help. If anyone has it in their heart to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry can use your help. You’ll never do anything more gratifying!

Doris D.

Volunteer, Food Pantry

As a part of a classroom exploration of the themes of inequality and social justice, Professor Goldfarb’s class spent an afternoon donating their time to the SVdP Food Pantry. “The students were encouraged to challenge their assumptions about the needy, interact with them directly, and discover their humanity, dignity, and wisdom. In return, the students learned important lessons in gratitude."

Nancy G.

IUPUI Professor

Changing Lives Forever is our effort to interrupt the cycle of poverty that presently entraps more than 20% of the population of Marion County. Its purpose is to help those mired in poverty to move themselves toward a life that is stronger financially, emotionally, and spiritually as an individual and as a family. The work of the Society here in Indianapolis is a noble cause to help the needy with food, appliances, furniture, clothing, and basic household essentials at no cost, but it’s even better to stem the circumstances that force people into this situation to begin with. So often in these cases, volunteers get even more than they give. Won’t you join us?

Domoni R.

Program Coordinator, Changing Lives Forever

It is amazing how God works, as so many people offer in-kind donations and new volunteers seem to appear when needed most. This is a real community effort.

Nora C.

President, North Vernon SVdP Conference

For many years, I have volunteered with home visits for area shut-ins. Our clients are so grateful for the little time that I spend with them—often they just need someone to talk to. In turn, I leave with a good feeling, for which I am equally grateful.

Joanne B.

Volunteer, Homebound Ministry

Because God has blessed our family so much, we feel obligated to help others who are less fortunate. In this, God continues to bless us all.

Cynthia V.

Donor

Being a true steward of our resources means that we must share what we have received. We give because we want to support the mission of St. Vincent de Paul in our community and we see great value in the services provided to those in need.

Art & Anne W.

Donors

MAKING A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY,

93% of all donations go directly to serve those in need
Making a difference every day,

Over 3,000 families served weekly from our food pantry
Making a difference every day,

Delivering food weekly to the homebound through our Homebound Ministry program
MAKING A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY,

Providing clothing and hygiene packs to 125 homeless people weekly through our Beggars for the Poor program
MAKING A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY,

We accept used bicycles, repair them, and provide to homeless adults for transportation to jobs and medical appointments
MAKING A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY,

Beggars for the Poor provide a hot meal each Saturday morning
MAKING A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY,

We provide a Life Coach to prepare the homeless with job seeking skills