Saint Anselm Parish of Saint Louis
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St. Vincent de Paul
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Saint Vincent de Paul Conference

The Society is an organization of men and women of our parish dedicated to the service and aid of the poor and needy of St. Louis and surrounding areas.

Meetings are every Saturday morning at 8:30, following 7:30 Mass. After coffee, pastries and a short meeting, the members visit the homes of people requesting assistance. Usually traveling in pairs, SVDP members try to determine the most pressing needs of the individual or family and offer help. Weekly attendance is not mandatory but the esprit de corps is such that most attend frequently.

St. Anselm Parish Society of St. Vincent De Paul April 15, 2008

  1. Home visits continue at an average of between 8 to 12 calls each Saturday
  2. Needs are greater than we’ve ever experienced.
    • a. Our clients have delayed making utility payments. Now facing disconnection
    • b. Similarly, rent and mortgage payments are late; adding late fees and extraordinary amounts due to avoid eviction
    • c. Some being forced to move out of current home due to foreclosures
    • d. Many SVDP conferences are short of funds to handle calls in their boundaries
  3. Immigrants and refugees continue to be 50% of all calls
    • a. We will begin receiving calls from Our Lady of Guadalupe (Hispanic clientele)
  4. Immigration and Refugee meeting was held at St. Anselm
    • a. Many new services and resources have been identified for the care givers who work with the immigrant and refugee community
    • b. SVDP Central Office continues to lead the effort of identifying and coordinating the interfaith efforts
  5. St. Anselm Parishioners are awesome in their generosity:
    • a. Honorary membership drive has already exceeded all of last year ($15,000)
    • b. Thank you, Fr. Gerard for allowing us to take the Holy Thursday collection (over $900) and other holidays
  6. Food drive contributions continue to increase each month (in conjunction with Donut Sunday)
    • a. Saving valuable dollars that had previously been spent on replenishing our food pantry
    • b. Allowing us to continue to provide a significant amount of food to each family we visit
    • c. Thank you to the parish staff for the publicity in the bulletin and to Deacon Steve for the timely announcements from the pulpit
    • d. Next Donut Sunday and Food Collection is Sunday, April 20. Drive through pickups are available
  7. Furniture donations are always appreciated
    • a. Through the generosity of anonymous benefactors, we have been able to locate a replacement truck for our driver, Robert Gilbert
    • b. Beds are always in demand
  8. Spring Clothing Drive is Saturday and Sunday, May 3 & 4
    • a.See bulletin for drop off times
    • b. Clothing will be donated to Wellston Center (they are in desperate need)
  9. Sandwiches for the Poor are made every First Friday in the Parish Centre after the 7:30 am Mass
    • a. Come by and have some fun making everyone’s favorite bologna and cheese sandwiches (on white bread, of course)