St. Mary's Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Thank you … The St. Vincent de Paul Society expresses heartfelt thanks to the Parish of St. Mary and all who donated to the recent Walk for the Poor. Your generosity was overwhelming. All donations will be used to support those in need in Franklin.
Upcoming Events
St. Vincent de Paul Current Food Pantry Requests
We are so thankful for your financial and food donations that come in each week. These donations allow us to help our brothers and sisters who are struggling. We depend on each and every food item and on your prayers.
Knights of Columbus Gift Card Fundraiser
The Knights of Columbus (Sacred Heart Council - St. Mary Church in Franklin, MA) is holding our annual Christmas Fundraiser for those “in need” in Franklin and surrounding communities during the holiday season.
Mission Statement
A network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need.
(SVdP USA, Approved April 14, 2018)
Volunteer: The St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP) is a volunteer, lay Catholic organization with a Conference at St. Mary Parish. Adult men and women, known as Vincentians, help each other grow spiritually and live out the gospel values by helping neighbors in need in their community, regardless of religious affiliation. New volunteers are always welcome and receive a formal orientation and training.
Assistance: A person or family in need is encouraged to call SVdP (Assistance Letter). Vincentians respond to the call and make arrangements for two SVdP members to make a home visit to determine how best the Conference can be of help. All information is kept confidential, and each person is treated with dignity.
Donation: SVdP Conference funding comes from donations. St. Mary Parish parishioners and parish groups, including the Knights of Columbus, have been very generous. Other funding sources include the Friends of the Poor Walk, a Christmas card donation program, and donations from local companies and organizations. Donations in memory of loved ones are also an appreciated source of funding for us. The Conference maintains a small non-perishable food pantry made possible by generous food donations from parishioners.
Please contact St. Vincent de Paul Society:
- Assistance - 508-918-2291 or svdp02038@gmail.com; Assistance Letter
- Volunteer - 508-918-2291 or svdp02038@gmail.com
- Donations – Mail check to: SVdP Society, St. Mary Parish, One Church Square, Franklin, MA 02038
Year at a Glance: Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2022
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” – Mother Teresa
Thank you to all the parishioners, the Knights of Columbus and all the other organizations for their support of SVDP by generously donating food and financial assistance so we could offer assistance to Franklin residents in need. Special thanks to Fathers Brian, Jack and Frank and Deacon Ron for spreading God’s message of the importance of helping others.
Our 38 members volunteered almost 5,700 hours meeting with families in need a total of 1,235 times, with 3,239 people helped. Covid impacted us again for the majority of the year in 2022. We used procedures to keep Vincentians and people we serve safe. Volunteers met in pairs in the lower church or over the phone with people seeking assistance to thoroughly assess the need. Any financial assistance is paid directly to the provider of services and not to the person seeking assistance.
Your support helped us:
- Distribute 810 bags of donated food & 182 personal hygiene bags
- Give out 55 Complimentary SVDP Thrift Store vouchers worth $2,900
- Caring Tree 102 families / 254 people with Gifts cards of $8,100
- Provide Gifts for Mother’s Day (48), Father’s Day (13) and Veterans (6)
Financially, your donations served families 392 times for a total of over $ 76,000
- Housing assistance 49 times for almost $38,000
- Utilities 45 times for $14,500
- Grocery store, Gas & Other gift cards 196 times for $7,800
- Automobile related assistance 8 times for $4,200
- Easter Meal Food Cards 59 families for $2,900
- Other: Medical, Furniture, Heating Repairs, Insurance
We continue to have strong relationships with other town organizations and businesses. We gave families 255 referrals to town, state and federal agencies that might help them.
In the coming year neighbors in need will face significant challenges due to increases for housing, utilities, food & gas. These costs put added pressure on them to make ends meet.
The most important members of this Ministry are each of you, our Contributing members, without whom we would not be able to serve. We thank you for your generosity, and want you to know your contributions are very appreciated by the people we serve.
Promoters of Hope, Apostles of Charity and Advocates of the Dignity of the human person