Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Indianapolis Archdiocesan Council, Inc.
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I Want to Help

Every day in Marion County, people of poverty face special challenges for sheer sustenance and personal safety. This sobering reality is underscored by the fact that poverty is on the rise and Marion County’s poverty rate is increasing faster than the rate for both Indiana and the US.

The faces of poverty surround us: they go to our area schools, attend the same churches, and often just live down the street from us. Most startling is that nearly 33% of all children in Marion County under the age of 18 are in poverty. Which begs the question… what can I do?

There is room at the table of help for everyone. An abundance of volunteer opportunities exist. Donations of used appliances and furniture are needed. Monetary donations support the the many works performed by SVdP to address community needs. The call for help and the fulfillment of that need speaks to the heart of Jesus’ message: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Your involvement will never be more important — or rewarding.

Afghan Refugee Relief Fund

The massive airlift and resettlement of Afgan refugees to the United States has brought over 7,000 refugees to Camp Atterbury in southern Indiana with only the clothes on their backs. SVdP Indy is working to help settle these families and give them emergency supplies.

Donate Time

Volunteers are the life force behind the management and operations of our Council. We must continually recruit volunteers to fulfill our mission of helping the poor. We welcome young and old alike, and it’s a great way for students to fulfill service hour requirements. Everyone has something to offer and you are invited to join us with whatever time and God-given talents you wish to donate. We ask only that you embrace and adhere to the mission of the Society. We know that you will find it to be one of the most rewarding things you can do. DOWNLOAD BROCHURE

Expand to view a partial list of tasks needing volunteer assistance:

  • food pantry sorters, stockers, baggers
  • pantry client processors
  • truck drivers (CDL is not required)truck loading assistance
  • dock workers
  • sorting, sizing, displaying wearing apparel
  • electricians
  • carpenters
  • large appliance repair (gas & electric ranges, washers, dryers, etc…)
  • small appliance repair
  • furniture repair
  • distribution assistants (Saturdays)
  • telephone answering
  • home visitations
  • data processing, accounting, and other office activities
  • Beggars for the Poor ministry
  • Systemic Change Facilitators
  • speakers’ bureau presentations

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Food Pantry Volunteer

Our 30th Street Pratt-Quigley Client Choice Food Pantry serves all of central Indiana residents in need. Responding to God’s call to “Feed the Hungry,” we strive to manifest God’s love by providing a selection of food and self-help programs to those in need in an atmosphere of dignity and respect for client and volunteer alike.

Sign up for a WEEKDAY at 3001 E. 30th St.
Sign up for a SATURDAY at 3001 E. 30th St.

All volunteer opportunities at 30th Street can be found by clicking one of the buttons above. Should you need information on scheduling groups, please contact Darlene Sweeney, Volunteer Coordinator, dsweeney@svdpindy.org.

Volunteer at Boulevard Place

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Changing Lives Forever Volunteer

At the heart of St. Vincent de Paul’s mission is to not only provide for our clients’ immediate needs, but to offer real avenues to clients to help them learn how to lift themselves from the confines of poverty. Learn more

Volunteer

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Distribution Center Volunteer

Our Maryland Street Distribution Center serves all of central Indiana. Appliances, beds, furniture, clothing, and linens, basic household goods and  are received from donors, or from vendors at discounted prices, These items are distributed using a Referral Form system after clients’ needs are determined and verified through a home visit. Following are volunteer opportunities for the overall function of the Distribution Center:

Sign up as a Distribution Center Sorter of Clothing and Household Products (Monday-Saturday except Wednesday) Sign up as a Distribution Center dock helper (Wednesday and Saturday) Sign up as a Distribution Center Driver/Helper (Wednesday and Saturday)

Read about Distribution Center Volunteer Opportunities

Individual volunteer opportunities at the Distribution Center can be found by clicking one of the buttons above. Should you need information on scheduling groups, please contact Darlene Sweeney, Volunteer Coordinator, darlene.sweeney@svdpindy.org.

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Homeless Ministry

The Homeless Ministry (open 9:00 till 11:30am on Wednesday and Saturday at the Distribution Center 1201 E. Maryland St.) is a program to help the homeless find sustaining employment through developing resumes, conducting job searches, housing research, and accessing needed social services. The St. Phillip Neri SVdP Conference is asking for donations of used bicycles to help those in need with no means of transportation. Bicycles needing repair are also welcome. We also need helmets, ponchos, backpacks, bicycle locks, and reading glasses for this program.

Volunteer
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Beggars for the Poor Ministry

Join us each Saturday as we take a truck to Roberts Park Methodist Church (401 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis) with meals provided by host churches to the Indianapolis homeless community. Learn more

Volunteer

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Telephone Ministry

Our Telephone Ministry involves answering phone calls on your own home phone – however, your phone number will be blocked so that callers will not be able to see your personal phone number. You will take calls from people in need of assistance . Comprehensive training will be provided.

Volunteer

Mission 27 Resale Store

Your donation of time to the Mission 27 Resale Store at 1618 Shelby Street helps us to sell good things for a good purpose. Named in memory of St. Vincent de Paul’s feast day, proceeds from Mission 27 are earmarked for bettering the nutritional offerings of the food pantry, and helping underwrite the costs associated with our Changing Lives Forever program. We are looking for volunteers for 4 hour shifts throughout 2021.

Sign up as a Retail Assistant at Mission 27 Resale Sign up as a Barista at Holy Grounds Cafe

Delivering Food

Wednesday Home Delivery to Shut-Ins

Our requests always exceed the number of drivers available so your help is valued. We recommend each driver go out with a helper as they deliver food to 5-7 people. This is a wonderful ministry for couples to do together and generally can be completed in a couple of hours.

Click the button below to find a volunteer form that will put you in contact with our volunteer coordinator.

Volunteer
Conference Meeting Photo

Parish Conference Members

The Conference is the basic unit of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and this is where the strength of the Society lies. The mission of the Conference is the mission of the Society: to join together in a bond of friendship, and to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering. The Conferences operate within the Catholic parishes and provide its members with opportunities to minister to those in need on a person-to-person basis through home visits, and to serve in its special projects. The Conferences have a goal of creating “Neighborhoods of Hope” by caring for those people in our immediate areas of the community. The Society’s motto is “No work of charity is foreign to the Society.” For more information on St. Vincent de Paul Parish Conference Membership, call your local Catholic Parish and ask the Parish Secretary for the name and contact information for the President of the St. Vincent de Paul Conference.

SVdP will close operations due to safety when any of the following weather conditions are present: 
Temperature under 0°F   |   Ice greater than 1/4″ accumulation   |   Snowfall  greater than 6″ of accumulation
WATCH OUR WEBSITE OR LOCAL TV FOR NOTIFICATIONS 

Donate Goods

To schedule a pick-up of usable major appliances (electric ranges, washers, electric dryers and refrigerators—even if needing repair), furniture, lamps and other basic household items, call our Donation Line: 317-687-1006. Pick-ups are scheduled Tuesday through Saturdays. Lead time is typically 2 weeks.

Donated items are always welcome if delivered directly to our Distribution Center at 1201 Maryland St. between 10 am – 4 pm Monday – Friday. Holiday schedules may vary with receiving hours coinciding with the Mission 27 Resale Store hours (10 10 am – 7 pm Monday – Friday, and 9 am – 5 pm on Saturday). Receiving docks are at the back (south) side of the building fronting on Georgia St.

Soft goods (clothing, linens, etc.) can also be deposited at any of our donation bins located throughout the city. Find a bin near your location.

Adult bicycles are also accepted (even if needing repair), along with helmets, locks, backpacks and reading glasses.  Please note that we do not accept used mattresses, box springs or bed frames at this time. Thank you for your generosity, and for making it possible for those who have few resources to get a second life from your still-usable items.

Wish List of Items Most Needed
All donations are appreciated, however the following items are usually in short supply:

  • Washers, Dryers, Refrigerators, Stoves (no gas appliances)
  • Dressers, Chests of Drawers, Night Stands
  • Bicycles (adult sizes preferred)
  • Dining Room or Kitchenette Tables and Chairs
  • Small Appliances such as Toasters, Irons, Can Openers, Coffee Makers, Slow Cookers
  • Pots and Pans, Cooking and Eating Utensils
  • Dishes, Glassware
  • Fans, Area Rugs, Vacuum Cleaners
  • Couches, Sofas, Loveseats, Upholstered Chairs, Sectional Sofas (if no more than 2 pieces), Recliners, Coffee and End Tables
  • New Mattresses and Box Springs
  • Soft Goods such as Clothing, Shoes, Purses, Bed Linens, Towels, Blankets, Curtains

Please keep in mind we are seeking basic household items that are in good enough condition to give to people without resources to purchase them.  Torn, broken or dirty items, although offered to St. Vincent de Paul in good faith and good intent, will be declined.

List of Items We Cannot Accept

Unfortunately, we cannot accept every donation. A list of items we cannot accept is provided here. As a resource for you, a recycling link is provided for you to arrange the disposal of items that SVdP cannot accept.

Please also note, The Bally Foundation, distributes Durable Medical Equipment (walkers, crutches, bath stools, etc.) at no cost to individuals. The Bally Foundation can be contacted via email , or phone at 317-626-0782.

  • Desks, Bookcases, Filing Cabinets, Office Chairs and Office Furniture
  • Armoires and hutches
  • TVs of all sizes, Stereos, Entertainment Centers
  • Furniture with any rips or damage from pets or smoke
  • Built-in Appliances such as Dishwashers, Cooktops, Range Hoods
  • Portable Dishwashers
  • Keyboards, Monitors, Printers, Electronic Componentry
  • Exercise Equipment
  • Windows, Doors, Cabinets
  • Used Mattresses, Box Springs, Futons, Waterbeds, Sleeper Sofas
  • Headboards/Footboards, Bed Frames
  • Gas Heaters
  • Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, or any other Gas Powered Tools
  • Pianos or Organs
  • VHS Equipment or Tapes
  • Swing Sets
  • Encyclopedias
  • Wall-to-Wall Carpet or Remnants
  • Baby Beds, Cribs, Changing Tables, Pack & Plays, Strollers, Car Seats, High Chairs, Bassinettes

Donate Food

If any groups would like to conduct a traditional Food Drive to support the 30th Street SVdP Food Pantry, please send an email to info@svdpindy.org or call (317) 924-5769. You may also drop off any collected items at the Pratt-Quigley building located at 3001 E. 30th Street on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 7 am and 2:30 pm. Generally, we have an ample supply of canned vegetables obtained from food drives in November and December. Large food drives conducted by Catholic High Schools provide the majority of this inventory. All donations are appreciated, but if possible, please solicit the specific items listed below, which are usually in short supply.

Of course, monetary donations are always needed to supplement food supplies. This allows SVdP to purchase needed products at a negotiated reduced cost from vendors. Please click here to give online.

Thank you for your contributions, prayers and support of Vincentian volunteers dedicated to our motto: “Help Christ Help The Needy.”

Wish List of Items Most Needed

All donations are appreciated, however the following items are usually in short supply:

  • cereal
  • canned tuna and salmon
  • peanut butter
  • jelly
  • canned fruit. and veggies
  • rice
  • pasta and noodles
  • pasta sauce
  • box dinners
  • box mixes
  • mac and cheese


Participate in a Virtual Food Drive

Corporate Sponsors

If the Church fails to put the poor at the center of its ministry, we fail to understand the message of Christ.

Pope Francis calls for mercy and compassion for the poor
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