The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Diocese of Cleveland has an impact of nearly $9 million per year in the eight-county area served by the diocese.
And in this time of pandemic, the organization’s work is crucial to many who are experiencing hard times. But the society has needs of its own in order to assist its clients – specifically, cash donations to help purchase items and to replace its aging -- but essential -- box truck.
“The need is unbelievably high in the community,” said Anelize Nader, CEO of the mostly volunteer organization that began its work in the diocese in 1865 – just 32 years after its founding in France and 20 years after the first United States conference was launched in St. Louis, Missouri.
Nader said five full-time and two part-time employees help a network of more than 2,200 Vincentians (parish-based volunteers) and hunger center volunteers deliver services to the needy. In 2019, the last year for which statistics are available, 212,400 people were assisted. Of that number, 168,000 received food. Additional statistics show that:
- There were 21,600 visits to people.
- Nearly $6 million in food and emergency help was provided.
- $448,400 was dedicated to eviction/homelessness prevention.
- 210 beds, mattresses and 6,000 blankets were provided to those in need.
- And $40,000 was earmarked for school supplies, backpacks and toiletries.
- In total, 185,529 hours of service were provided by the society.
There are 59 active chapters -- known as conferences – at parishes throughout the diocese and one at St. Edward High School in Lakewood. The volunteers who run each conference are known as Vincentians. They provide immediate, temporary emergency assistance to those in need, regardless of their race, ethnicity or religious affiliation. In non-pandemic times, Vincentians also visit the sick and elderly.
A large part of their work is with food pantries. There are eight major pantries scattered around the diocese and most conferences have their own pantry. Additional volunteers help staff the major food pantries. Those receiving assistance are contacted and screened by a Vincentian and their needs are documented in order to ensure they receive the appropriate assistance.
In non-pandemic times, a Vincentian would conduct an in-person meeting with a client to determine and document the needs. Often the meetings took place in the client’s home.
“But the pandemic forced us to get creative,” Nader said, noting they pivoted to conducting sessions virtually, on the phone or at pre-arranged locations like a church parking lot. Necessary documentation was submitted digitally, delivered or mailed. The in-person meetings, long a hallmark of the society, were suspended out of an abundance of caution, Nader said, in an attempt to keep both Vincentians and their clients safe and healthy, in accordance with pandemic safety guidelines.
“The Society of St. Vincent de Paul exists to serve those in need with compassion, dignity and generosity, while improving the spirituality of its members and developing friendships among them and those they serve,” Nader said.
Organized locally, Vincentians witness God’s love by embracing all works or charity and justice.
Nader said the society’s aging box truck is a lifeline for its ministries. She said the truck keeps costs low because it is used to deliver food from the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to St. Vincent de Paul Society hunger centers. From time to time, the truck also has been used to help move furniture from donors to recipients’ homes and to deliver blankets.
During the pandemic, the truck became even more important by doubling as a mobile pantry for food distribution. Nader said the pandemic forced closure of the Woodland Hunger Center on Cleveland’s East Side. The center is located in a public housing facility which was closed as a public health safety measure. After a time, the truck was permitted to spend time in the parking lot and offer food and supplies to those in need. The truck also operated as a mobile pantry at the Brookside Family Center and St. Patrick Parish on Bridge Avenue, both on Cleveland’s West Side.
But the additional use caused more wear and tear on the 16-year-old vehicle.
“Maintenance is getting very expensive,” Nader said about the aging truck.
The society is planning to launch an appeal to replace the truck with a reliable vehicle that will enable it to continue its many ministries, Nader said.
And, as winter approaches and the pandemic continues, Nader expects there will be an even greater demand for assistance. She said there was less need for eviction/homelessness prevention for the past several months because of a moratorium on evictions. Also, utility shut-offs were suspended, unemployment compensation was increased and many people received a stimulus check from the federal government. These things provided some short-term relief, but there is no guarantee for the future, she said. Cleveland plans to resume utility shut-offs on Dec. 1.
Nader said the society’s biggest need is for cash to help it purchase a new truck as well as food, blankets and other items in bulk and to have cash available to help those needing financial assistance with utilities and housing.
Click HERE for more information on the society, including how to become a Vincentian, start a conference at your parish or make a cash donation to assist with the ministries. Connect with the St. Vincent de Paul Society through its Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.