The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVDP) is an all-volunteer, local conference within St Vincent de Paul Seattle King County, dedicated to helping our neighbors in need. “Whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me (Matthew 25:40).” Through home/outreach visits, Vincentians LISTEN and provide support by assisting with prioritization of needs and mutually developing a plan of assistance. The plan of assistance promotes self-sufficiency by combining personal resources, SVDP assistance, and other community resources. SVDP emergency assistance may include rent, utilities, motel shelter, food, gas vouchers, bus passes, clothing, and furniture. We collaborate with other community resources including the Federal Way Caregiving Network, the Light of Christ Community Garden, Fusion Family Center, and the Northwest Furniture Bank. In 2023, SVDP provided assistance to 341 households, approximately 1191 neighbors. Demographics of neighbors receiving assistance: 48% are children <18 years old; 73% are individuals of color; and 96% had household income <50% Area Median Income.
SVDP also coordinates Christmas Giving, an annual St Theresa’s parish program, in which Vincentians deliver parishioner donations of children’s gifts and food to families in need. In 2023, Christmas Giving served 105 families and 330 children.
Funding
Funding and in-kind food donations are provided by the generous parishioners of St. Theresa’s. We also wish to acknowledge and thank the City of Federal Way, St Theresa’s Knights of Columbus Council #7908, the Puyallup Tribal Charity Fund, the Windemere Foundation, the Norcliffe Foundation, the Marco J Heidner Foundation, and the Florence B Kilworth Foundation for their grant funding in support of our mission.
Need help?
Clients request assistance by first calling the SVDP Helpline at 206-767-6449, 8 AM - 3 PM Monday-Friday. The request for assistance is emailed to the local SVDP conference serving your address, and a Vincentian will call you within 48 hours. Assistance by also be requested on line from 7 am to 7 pm Monday-Friday at https://fs20.formsite.com/svdpseattle/nnekxexcud/index .
Want to help?
Become a Vincentian
“The SVDP Society helped me to grow in my relationship with Jesus and as a Christian. I was able meet our neighbors in need, talk with them, laugh with them, pray with them and see how God would use our eyes, our hands, our feet to help meet their needs. What joy filled their hearts and ours as we were able to assist with food, rent or utility bills.” --Susan Toohey
New Vincentian volunteers are mentored by experienced Vincentians to respond to requests for assistance, and trainings are offered by SVDP Seattle King County. Vincentians work in pairs to visit neighbors in their home or in the community, typically 1-2 calls per week, on days and at times that are mutually agreeable. SVDP meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month at 7:00 PM in the Parish Office. Stop by to meet us and get more information.
Donate
- Funding to support emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, motel shelter, gas/bus passes, food, and clothing may be donated online at https://pushpay.com/g/sttheresafw: select “St Vincent de Paul,” or through the monthly envelopes mailed to registered parishioners.
- Needs for non-perishable food, diapers, soap, hygiene and paper products are listed in the weekly parish bulletin. You can drop your donation in the SVDP donation bin at the back of the Church.
|
Gallery: SVDP Jan 2024
St. Theresa Knights of Columbus gave SVDP $2000 to assist with Christmas as well to assist with
emergency financial assistance that we provide to our neighbors in need. Thank you! |