Dear friends, supporters, volunteers, and community partners,
We are deeply thankful for all of your generous support to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Because of you, we can be a beacon of hope for many during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. But no matter how difficult things may get, the Society will not stop serving those in need. For nearly, 150 years we have been providing essential basic needs such as food, clothing, and financial assistance to our community without stopping. Unfortunately, in the last couple of days, our community and the entire country has been impacted by a global pandemic. This national crisis has led many to feel all too vulnerable. In order to protect the health and safety of our friends-in-need, volunteers, and staff, we are currently operating at limited capacity and following CDC guidelines. As of March 18th, we have temporarily suspended the services at our Vincentian Service Center and two resale shops, until April 1st. Our helpline will remain open from 9am-3pm to answer the calls of our friends in need. (713) 741-8234.
But to serve the needs of the affected communities, we will need your help. Will you consider making a donation to our Emergency Fund? Your gift will help those who have been directly impacted by the closure of schools, restaurants, and other important establishments. Our volunteers are using creative ways to continue serving, such as operating drive-up pantries, home visits through conference calls, etc. The scarcity of necessary cleaning supplies has already been felt by the community. Those most impacted have been our friends over the age of 60, the ones most at risk for the virus. If you can give us a hand, we'll make sure that we can continue operating to help those in need. I appreciate your patience, kindness, and compassion during this time of crisis. Sincerely, Ann Schorno Executive Director