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

 

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.

Because a bed is one of the most basic human needs, we have launched our Dream a Little Dream Mattress Program to address the bed crisis.

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

COMMIT TO VOLUNTEER ON A REGULAR BASIS

Regular volunteers are the bedrock of services at SVdP Indy. We are in critical need of volunteers who resonate with a long-term commitment with us – those who are able to make a sustained weekly or monthly commitment. Regular volunteers are essential to our being able to serve our neighbors in an efficient and sustainable manner. These opportunities are available across our organization: Food Pantry, Distribution Center, Mission 27 Resale, Helpline, etc. We hope you will consider becoming a regular volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul. If you are, please complete and submit the Volunteer Application. You will be contacted by our Volunteer Department to work with you to determine the best fit based on your interests, skills, and our needs.

For students and occasional volunteers, it is not necessary to complete the Volunteer Application. Please sign up using the buttons below.
We look forward to hearing from all of you and welcome the opportunity to have you volunteer with us to serve others.

Applications may be emailed to dsweeney@svdpindy.org.

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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 Opportunity 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 Donation Sorter; electrical/furniture repair; dock helper

Individual volunteer opportunities at the Distribution Center can be found by clicking the button 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.

Sign up as a Retail Assistant at Mission 27 Resale

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

The donations we receive from the community help us to support our neighbors in need. We’re grateful for your support and try to make it easy for you to donate items. Whether you are dropping off donations or scheduling a donation pick up, you have two options on how to handle.

Drop-Off Options

Distribution Center

Deliver items to our Distribution Center:
1201 Maryland St.
Dock Door 3 (South side of the building)

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday
Holiday schedules may vary.

Blue Bins

Drop off soft goods (clothing, linens, etc.) at any of our blue donation bins located throughout the city.

Pickup Options

Regular Pickup

  • Done by SVdP staff
  • Pickup days: Tues-Sat 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Pickups typically scheduled two weeks out
  • Only accept items that can be given to SVdP neighbors or sold at Mission 27 (see “Items Not Accepted” section)
  • Items must be located on the main level
  • Items must be disassembled prior to pickup
  • No cost

To schedule a pickup, call SVdP at:
317-687-1006.

Priority Pickup

  • Managed by Resupply (a SVDP partner)
  • Pickup days: Tues-Sat
  • Pickups within 48 hours
  • All items accepted—eligible items donated to SVdP or another local non-profit, with ethical disposal of remaining items
  • Item retrieval from anywhere (i.e. basement, upstairs, storage unit)
  • Disassembly of items (except doors, cabinets or lighting)
  • Estates, whole house cleanout
  • Small fee* charged, which is less than moving company/junk hauler fee

*Fee not tax deductible

ITEMS

Items Most Needed

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

View list

  • 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 (i.e. toasters, irons, can openers, coffee makers, slow cookers)
  • Pots and pans, cooking and eating utensils
  • Dishes and glassware
  • Fans, area rugs, vacuum cleaners
  • Couches, sofas, loveseats, upholstered chairs, sectional sofas (no more than 2 pieces), recliners, coffee and end tables
  • New mattresses and box springs (in original packaging)
  • Men’s jeans, shoes and boots
  • Soft goods (i.e. 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 SVdP in good faith and intent, will be declined.

Items Not Accepted

Unfortunately, we cannot accept every donation. If we cannot accept your donation, you may consider using Resupply, our partner for priority pickup. Resupply donates items to other local non-profit organizations or ensures ethical disposal of the items.

View list

  • Desks, bookcases, filing cabinets, office chairs and office furniture
  • Armoires and hutches
  • Tube (non-HD) TVs (only working TVs 2018 or newer flat screens with remote will be accepted) , stereos (vintage accepted), entertainment centers
  • Furniture with any stains, rips or damage from pets or smoke or soiled
  • Built-in appliances (i.e. dishwashers, cooktops, range hoods)
  • Portable dishwashers or gas stoves
  • Keyboards, monitors, printers, electronic components
  • Exercise equipment of any kind
  • Windows, doors, cabinets, garden hoses, grills (only gas grills in good/new condition will be accepted)
  • Used mattresses, box springs, futons, waterbeds, sleeper sofas, Sleep Number beds,
  • Used headboards/footboards, bed frames (not in original packaging)
  • Gas heaters
  • Lawn mowers, snow blowers or other gas-powered tools
  • Pianos or organs
  • VHS equipment/tapes
  • Swing sets
  • Encyclopedias
  • Wall-to-wall carpet or remnants, area rugs with stains or pet odor
  • Baby beds, cribs, changing tables, pack-n-plays, strollers, car seats, high chairs, bassinets

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

If. you’re interested in hosting a food drive, download our tip sheet. 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


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

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