Saint Vincent de Paul Society

In conjunction with the Food Pantry this group offers assistance to help pay rent, mortgage, utilities and food for those needing assistance.  If you can assist us in home visits or interviews, please let us know.l  This is a great way to touch the lives of families in need, and partake in a great community of prayer and fellowship besides!

 contact SVDP@ststephencatholic.org  for more information.

St. Vincent de Paul Update

During Fiscal Year 2011 (October 2010 – September 2011) the St. Stephen Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul received over $54,600 in donations from our parishioners and benefactors. 
Total Receipts included:

  • Poor Box Collections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $31,954
  • Member donations and other patronage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $16,122
  • Distribution from SVdP Thrift Store in Ruskin  . . . . . . . .         $15,000
  • Fundraising (Thanksgiving & Holy Thursday collections)        $  6,600

The Conference continues to operate the Food Pantry each Friday from 10:30am to 12:30pm.
Financial Assistance via home visitations may be obtained by calling 813-325-6440. Clients who request assistance are interviewed to determine their situation and whether they qualify for assistance under our guidelines. All information gathered for Food Pantry or Financial Assistance is considered confidential. In general, a person (family) must live in the South Brandon, Lithia, Valrico or Riverview area and have sufficient documentation to verify their residency to be eligible for help from our Conference. People living outside our area are referred to other Conferences or organizations for possible help. St. Stephen along with Prince of Peace (Sun City Center) and St. Anne (Ruskin) comprise the East Hillsborough District of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

 During the last fiscal year we received 349 cases (requests for help) usually representing a family of three or more. We paid out $41,360 aiding 118 families. Assistance is used to pay for living expenses, including rent, utilities, transportation or medical expenses. Any financial aid given is paid via check to the creditor such as the landlord or utility after verification of the debt. Food purchases totaled $18,905 and the Conference contributed $1,750 to assist other St. Vincent de Paul Conferences, both locally and internationally. Only 2% of expended funds went for non-client aid to pay for such items as Conference cell phone, dues, postage and insurance expense.

 Over 5,403 volunteer hours were logged in the St. Stephen Food Pantry
which distributed the following in the last Fiscal Year to 8,456 people:

  •  87,095 pounds of food and drink
  •   7,299 bread or pastry items (donated by Publix, Costco and Panera Bread)
  •   4,351 articles of clothing  

 Clothing and furniture vouchers were also given out when needed to be redeemed at the Thrift Store. Our volunteers routinely made referrals to other non-government or government organizations when it appeared the client was eligible for assistance from these organizations.

 We wish to express our gratitude to our fellow parishioners, as well as Fr. Bill, Fr. Emery, Fr. Jose, the entire office staff, our corporate donors and anonymous donors for the generous support our Conference has received in helping us to aid others.  We also urge your continued support of the poor boxes and of our Thrift Store in Ruskin.