And the Winners Are....

On the day before Thanksgiving, we held St. Vincent de Paul’s thirteenth annual turkey carving contest.  Community leaders that participated included: Bishop Michael Duca, District Attorney Hillar Moore (as the Pope of BR), Rabbi Sarah Smiley, Manship Media CFO Ralph Bender, Metro-Council Mayor Pro Tem Lamont Cole, Councilman Darryl Hurst, Southern Head Tennis Coach Jeffrey Conyers, Coroner Beau Clark, Our Lady of the Lake Vice-President Coletta Barrett, W Consulting Group President Tara Wicker, Southern Head Softball Coach Brittany Williams, and EBR Parish Sheriff’s Office Warden Grimes.

We are so thankful to these community leaders who came together to give of their time and talent and share the true spirit of Thanksgiving.  All the contestants had a blast carving the turkeys, which are so important to the annual Thanksgiving Day meals served at our St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room and the Raising Cane’s River Center.  This event is a way to get our turkeys carved, create community awareness about poverty and homelessness, and have some great fun at the same time. 

If you have ever carved a turkey, you know it takes a surprising amount of skill.  Of course, this is a contest, so contestants were judged in a number of categories, which included: how much fun the contestant was having, how the turkey was presented after carving, and in St. Vincent de Paul’s “no waste tradition,” how much meat was left on the bone. 

All of our contestants are winners because they truly care about the less fortunate we are so blessed to serve.  Based on our volunteer judges Sister Joan Laplace, Pam Hutchinson, Jan Ross of the Wilson Foundation, and St. Vincent de Paul Board Chair Reginald Brown,  this year's winners were:  first place, Ralph Bender; second place, Hillar Moore and third place, Colletta Barrett.  A big Thanksgiving Thank You to Tom and Fran Carville at CARCO AWARDS for donating the awards for this event this year and all the past 13 years of this contest.  Their generous support through the years has helped us to make this effort special.

31st Annual Shelter Collection Drive

2022 marks the 31st year of our annual Bishop Ott Shelter collection drive.  WVLA, NBC-33, Fox 44, the Baton Rouge Clinic, Albertson’s and Louisiana Healthcare Connections are supporting this effort to provide much needed items for the homeless men, women, and children we serve.  Through this effort, we collect items like toiletries, disposable diapers, gloves, caps, and underwear for the homeless who come to our shelters.  Our Bishop Ott Shelter Program has made a tremendous impact in the Capital Region by being a leader in providing shelter to men, women, and children.  We see every day as an opportunity to provide a hand-up to someone who wants to break the cycle of homelessness.

Many people who are homeless don’t have a toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving cream, or deodorant, and when they come to our shelter, we provide these items – things that most of us consider necessities.  Dropping off one of these items at the Baton Rouge Clinic, Albertson’s or any St. Vincent de Paul location can do so much for the self-esteem of someone who is at a low point in their life.  Our guests are grateful for every item we provide, and these can truly be life-changing.  A razor and shaving cream can make a difference when you’re applying for a job.  For children, being neat and clean when they go to school means they can look forward to learning rather than dreading ridicule. 

The expansion of our Sweet Dreams Shelter means we can serve more homeless individuals and families, but it also means that the need for these basic necessities is even greater.  Please consider donating a few of the items on the list below for our shelter guests, and help us get the word out about the importance of this collection drive.  Tell your family, friends, and co-workers.  Spread the word through Facebook and social media.  Get your church group involved. 

Items can be dropped off at any of the above locations.  For more information, call (225) 383-7837, extension 0.  

St. Vincent de Paul/Bishop Ott Shelter most needed items:  blankets; disposable diapers; men, women and children’s underwear; socks; knit caps; gloves; scarves; reading glasses (all strengths); slippers; feminine hygiene products; towels and washcloths; toiletry items such as deodorant, soap, shampoo, body wash, lotion, and body powder; twin, and crib size sheets; paper products (napkins, paper towels, toilet paper); disposable cups, plates, bowls, knives, forks, and spoons; and rain gear.

The Gift of Christ

The angel Gabriel announced the coming of the first and greatest of all Christmas gifts – the gift of Christ!  His words announced the coming birth of a child to the Virgin Mary – a child that would transform her life and lives of people throughout the world in the most profound way! 

Christmas is the celebration of the most meaningful birthday of all-time.  We observe this world changing event by giving gifts to our loved ones, and that’s what we do every day of the year at St. Vincent de Paul when we provide the gifts of food, clothing, shelter, medicine and other basic necessities to those in need. 

The world we live in now would be unrecognizable to Mary and Joseph, but over the centuries, as you can see from the pictures below, one thing has remained the same – children are a source of joy, even to families that are experiencing poverty and homelessness.  Many parents come to our Bishop Ott Sweet Dreams Shelter with their young children and very little else.  The Christmas present they want most is a place to call home and a chance for a better life.  This year, we will provide over 20,000 guest nights of shelter to men, women, children, and families.  Most importantly, we provide critical case management services to help them break the cycle of homelessness. 

Every year, as we draw closer to Christmas, we begin to see an increase in the number of people who come to us hungry and in need.  Unfortunately, inflation and the rising costs of food, rent, and utilities have created an even greater need than in past years.  Last year, we served 215,000 meals, and this year, we are on track to serve over 250,000 meals.  Our doors will be open, not only on Christmas Day, but every day of the year, and every meal we serve is a gift and blessing to someone in need.

At our Community Pharmacy, the Christmas present at the top of everyone’s list is a life-sustaining medication.  This year, we are on course to fill critical prescriptions that save lives. 

As you prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birthday, we ask you to keep the less fortunate in your thoughts and prayers.  Christ was an advocate for the poor and oppressed, and His message was one of love, charity and hope.  We are so grateful for your past kindness and generosity.

In today’s difficult economy, can you add one more person to your Christmas gift list this year?  The parents and children pictured above have been helped because of your past support, but for every child and adult you see here, there are countless others in need, and that’s why your financial support is so important.  We hope that you will consider making a Christmas gift by giving here.  A gift of just $1.00 will provide a hot meal; $40 will provide one night of shelter for a homeless family of four; and $28 will fill a life-sustaining prescription.

Your generosity will give the gift of hope to someone in need.  Hope enables the poorest person to see beyond today and into a future filled with promise.  With hope and faith in Christ, all things are possible. 

During this holiday season, we pray that your home will be filled with the Christmas blessings of joy and peace.  As you celebrate the miracle of Christ’s birth, may His love bless you and your family during the coming new year.

Sharing Christmas Blessings with the Poor and Homeless Since 1865

Thankful for the Basics

Every day at St. Vincent de Paul, we see people who no longer take anything for granted. Most of us begin each day with a nourishing breakfast, and the only concerns we have about lunch and dinner are what to prepare or where we will eat out. But once someone has experienced real hunger, they have a new appreciation for this simple, basic necessity.

The people who come to St. Vincent de Paul are so thankful for all the basic necessities of life. They know what it’s like to wonder where their next meal is coming from. This photo of Val and her children is representative of the thousands who come to us for help. Again this year, we will serve over 250,000 meals, provide over 20,000 guest nights of shelter and fill prescriptions worth $1 million. Those numbers are startling, but we don’t serve numbers – we serve people. Everyone we serve has a story and is so thankful for the help we provide.

Every time we serve a meal, fill a prescription or provide shelter, we are doing more than filling a basic need. We are providing hope. Time after time, we hear the words, “thank you” from people who have nothing else to give in return for the assistance they receive. Their humble expressions of gratitude are meant for you, our supporters, and we are honored to pass their thanks on to you. We are so thankful for you who make our work possible.

A Thanksgiving Recipe for Success

At St. Vincent de Paul, we’re ready to put our tried and true Thanksgiving recipes together, but we’re also preparing to respond to a growing need in our area because of the economy.  

On November 24th, Thanksgiving Day, we will continue our tradition of serving the annual Thanksgiving meal at the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room and the Raising Cane’s River Center. We will also serve those in need at St. Gerard and the McKinley Alumni Center. We continue to expand our reach to the most vulnerable during these very difficult inflationary times.

What a blessing it is to be a part of this community effort, which has touched the lives of the needy for the past 40 years.  Why serve meals at so many locations?  To ensure that we provide maximum coverage of our community on this special day.  For individuals who have no families to share this special day with and have no financial resources for a traditional Thanksgiving meal, we will be there for them.  For the homeless who live at our St. Vincent de Paul shelters, for others who live near our main charitable campus or in north or south Baton Rouge, we will be there for them. 

We thank Mayor-President Sharon Westin Broome, Wayne Hodes, Rhonda Ruffino, Chef Craig Bergeron, and the entire crew at the Raising Cane’s River Center.  These leaders are once again playing a critical role in reaching people who truly need a helping hand this holiday season. 

Turkey is the main dish at every Thanksgiving meal, and we thank The Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge for doing their annual Turkey Train!  They collect enough turkeys to ensure that we can continue this Thanksgiving tradition.  Annually, this wonderful congregation is the single largest contributor of turkeys for our Thanksgiving meal service to those experiencing poverty.  Their help is even more critical this year because of the difficult economy.

At St. Vincent de Paul, the most critical ingredient in our Thanksgiving recipe is you – our supporters.  Our guests are so grateful for the meals you make possible.

During these difficult times, we are all called to share God’s blessings with the less fortunate.  First and foremost, we ask you to join us in praying for those we are blessed to serve.  By the end of this year, we will serve over 250,000 meals, so your support is needed as we combat hunger in our area.  For a gift of just $1.00, you can help us provide a hot, nutritious meal.  $100 provides a hundred meals, and $400 typically feeds all the guests at our dining room on any given day.  You can make your gift online Here or by mailing a check to our Dining Room at P.O. Box 127, Baton Rouge, LA 70821. 

We wish everyone a happy, wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!  Thank you for your support in helping us to make a difference in our community.

If you someone in need this Thanksgiving, please share the below information.

St. Vincent de Paul’s Holiday Helpers

Thanksgiving Day Meal

Raising Cane’s River Center

Thursday, November 24, 2022

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

To be held in the Exhibition Hall

Enter from River Road to Sit Down or enter from

Government Street Drive-Thru (number of people in the car)

For more information visit svdpbr.org.

Serving meals at:

St. Vincent de Paul at 220 St. Vincent de Paul Place (Sit Down Only at 11:30 am -1:00 pm)

The Mckinley High School Alumni Center at 1520 Thomas H. Delpit Dr. (11:00 am to 1 pm)

St. Gerard Catholic Church Seelos Hall at 5249 Maple Street, 70805 (11:00 am – pick-up only -on first come, first served basis)

“Through Unity We Prosper”

St. Vincent de Paul Honors Outstanding Volunteers

Bishop Michael Duca, SVDP Council President Kim Boudreaux, and SVDP Special Works Board Chair Reginald Brown at the Annual St. Vincent de Paul Mass.

On October 2nd, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Bishop Michael Duca and many of our St. Vincent de Paul Conference volunteers and supporters gathered to celebrate another year of dedicated Vincentian service to our less fortunate neighbors in our community. After a beautiful Mass liturgy and a wonderful homily from Bishop Duca, an awards ceremony was held to honor those volunteers who made a significant impact in the entire Capital Region. Along with Bishop Duca, St. Vincent de Paul Council President Kim Boudreaux presented awards to some of our outstanding volunteers.

Frederic Ozanam founded the Society in Paris, France in 1833. A young student by the name of William Blair Lancaster brought the St. Vincent de Paul ministry to New Orleans in 1852. William recruited Father Cyril Delacroix to establish the Society at St. Patrick’s Church in New Orleans. Father Delacroix brought the St. Vincent de Paul ministry to Baton Rouge in 1865, and we have served the poor and homeless in our area since that time.

In 1990, the local Society established the Top Hat Hall of Fame Award. The name of this award comes from Frederic Ozanam who visited the poor in his top hat. This is the highest award given by St. Vincent de Paul for exemplary service. This year it was decided to bestow this award on two Vincentians.

Our first Top Hat Hall of Fame award was given to Sue Chenevert. Sue has been an active St. Vincent de Paul Conference member at St. Aloysius parish for many years and has been very involved at the special works level. In 2020, she was a founder of the St. Aloysius St. Vincent de Paul Conference. She has served in many St. Vincent de Paul leadership positions. Her commitment to serving those experiencing poverty and homelessness with us and Habitat for Humanity has made a real impact in our Diocese.

Our second Top Hat Hall of Fame award was given to Phil Bruder. Phil has been an active conference member at St. Jude parish since 1987. He has been described as the “heart and soul of the St. Jude Conference.” He has spent many hours volunteering at our shelters and stores. Phil was involved in the early days of the St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy and even attended pharmacy tech school to volunteer so that he could dispense medicine under the supervision of our pharmacist. His dedication to St. Vincent de Paul and his neighbors in need is truly inspiring.

Sue and Phil are long time Vincentians who join many other exemplary Vincentians in our Top Hat Hall of Fame. These outstanding volunteers are role models for others to follow, and we are so grateful for all they do for those experiencing poverty and homelessness in our community.

From left to right, Reginald Brown, SVDP Special Works Board Chair; Denise Terrance, SVDP Dining Room Director; and Rosie Martina, long-time SVDP member pose for a picture at our Dining Room. This year, we are on track to serve over 250,000 meals. Reginald, Denise, and Rosie thank you for making our work possible.

Welcome Sarah to Our Bishop Ott Shelter Program

St. Vincent de Paul is excited to introduce Sarah Dulaney as our new director of Shelter Programs! Sarah’s career began over 15 years ago as a social worker after graduating from LSU with a MSW in social work. Her experience spans from medical social work to school social work to behavioral health counseling and includes obtaining a Clinical Social Work license (LCSW).

Sarah has served in various leadership roles, including State Representative for the Association of Oncology Social Work, and been a mentor to social work interns. Sarah said, “None of these roles are as important as the role I have of simply helping others to better their lives.”

In addition to the wealth of experience and knowledge that Sarah brings with her, she is passionate in her desire to work with the underserved in our community while growing in both her faith and her professional career

We are blessed to have Sarah as our new Director of Shelter Programs here at St. Vincent de Paul and cannot wait to work hand and hand in continuing to grow and better serve those in the Greater Baton Rouge area.

Please join us in providing a warm welcome to Sarah in joining our St. Vincent de Paul Family!

WBRZ recently successfully held a new campaign entitled, “2 The Pantry,” in support of our St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room. We are so grateful to WBRZ Channel 2, Associated Grocers and Valluzzo Companies - McDonald’s for continuing to support us in our mission throughout the Greater Baton Rouge area This campaign was just in time to help us with our upcoming Thanksgiving services. On Thanksgiving Day, our volunteers will serve turkey with all the trimmings to hundreds of people who, unfortunately, have little to celebrate. Many of them are living in homes where people have to skip meals or eat less to make ends meet. Some of them have no homes.

This year, our volunteers will be serving up a Thanksgiving meal at our Dining Room and the Holiday Helpers’ tradition at the River Center. We will also serve at St. Gerard Catholic Church and the McKinley High School Alumni Center.

Sometimes, we are overwhelmed by the number of people who turn to St. Vincent de Paul for the nourishment they need. But these people are not numbers – they are real people in desperate need. We see their faces; we hear their stories. They are struggling to survive and must rely on the kindness of others to help them through this difficult time in their lives.

We are gearing up right now for this effort, and we are still collecting critical items we need for our holiday efforts. Visit us at svdpbr.org to see an updated list of our food and supply needs. The meals prepared are served by our volunteers with love and compassion. Financial support is also needed to make these meals possible. Gifts can be sent to St. Vincent de Paul’s Thanksgiving Efforts, P.O. Box 127, Baton Rouge, LA 70821 or give online here.

Prayers for Sweet Dreams

As you read this letter, chances are, somewhere in our community, a mother with young children is praying for a miracle. The miracle is quite simple – a place to call home tonight.

For homeless mothers, their worst fears have been realized. Life has suddenly become a nightmare. The safety and security mothers want for themselves, and especially for their children, have disappeared. They are overwhelmed with a sense of failure: they feel like they have let down the people they love the most. They are facing a terrifying enemy – homelessness.

In the current economy, homelessness is becoming more and more common. It’s not just individuals who are living on the street or in their cars. Too often, it’s families with young children.

Children aren’t concerned about the economy, inflation, bills or deadlines. They go to sleep each night confident that their parents will take care of them. Children don’t realize that their futures hang by a thread, and that life is so fragile that their whole world can burst like a bubble. They are unaware that their parents feel like they’re drowning as they try desperately to keep things afloat.

Can you imagine the agony in a mother’s heart when she can no longer provide a home for her child? When she has no family to turn to, when the only thing she has left is her little boy and the priceless title of “Mom,” where does she turn? How will she protect her child from the dangers of the street?

Fortunately, our Bishop Ott Sweet Dreams Shelter provides a safe place for a homeless family to call home for a short time. A place for a mother, like Julie in the photo above, to smile and blow bubbles with her son Carter. Like all the children we have served, two-year old Carter loves to blow bubbles and play with mom, but most of all he needs her love and stability. With our help, Julie was able to turn her nightmare of homelessness into sweet dreams for a brighter future for herself and her son.

We are seeing an increasing number of homeless parents and children who desperately need our shelter services. This year we will provide over 12,000 guest nights of service to hundreds of women and children who have nowhere else to turn for help. Our philosophy is to give a hand-up of hope. Our shelter program offers case management which helps parents to understand what caused their homelessness, and assists them in taking the steps necessary to prevent a recurrence.

As the economy continues to struggle, we need your help more than ever before. First, we ask you to use the Sweet Dreams Prayer below and pray for the homeless families we serve. Second, we need your financial support so that we can continue to be here for families that become homeless. If you are able to give at this time, we ask you to consider making a gift by clicking here.

We thank you for your past support which enabled us to turn the nightmare of homelessness into sweet dreams of a brighter future for mothers and children in our community.

We are so grateful for your support and pray that the current economy hasn’t created a hardship in your life. May God keep you in His tender, loving care.

WBRZ, along with our partners, Associated Food Stores and Valluzzo Companies McDonald’s Restaurants launch “2 The Pantry”, a new campaign supporting the Saint Vincent DePaul Dining Room.

Nonperishable food items will be collected at participating Associated Food Stores in specially marked shopping carts. The campaign will culminate with a big collection day event at McDonald’s located at 4979 Jones Creek Road in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, October 12th.

WBRZ will broadcast live inviting viewers to support 2 The Pantry. Supporters will also be able to donate online by using the QR Code on the printed items at both Associated Food Stores and participating McDonald’s Restaurants.  Signs will be located at participating McDonald’s drive-thrus and doors with the QR Code.

WBRZ appreciates all the support from our sponsors and community to help feed the needy in these difficult times.

Information provided by WBRZ at http://wbrz.com/2-the-pantry

Giving A Hand-Up at St. Vincent de Paul’s Bishop Ott Shelter Program

From left to right-- Jason Myer, SVDP Case Manager; Richard Ray-Newsome; and Debra Blacher, SVDP Shelter Director.

There are basically two kinds of people that come to St. Vincent de Paul for assistance: those who are able to help themselves and those who are unable to do so. There are adults that are willing to help themselves, and may have suffered an illness or lost a long-time job, but their situation is temporary, and all they need is a helping hand to get back on their feet. There are also people who are suffering from mental health challenges, physical disabilities and addictions. It’s our responsibility at St. Vincent de Paul to determine the difference between those who can help themselves and those who refuse to do so. We want to make sure that we are giving someone a hand-up, not a hand-out. No one wants to see anyone experience homelessness, but most of us are reluctant to provide assistance to an able bodied and mentally stable person who won’t help themselves. As good stewards, there is no way we can help someone continue that lifestyle.

Our Bishop Ott Shelter Program embraces the hand-up philosophy. Our mission is to seek out the suffering, deprived and forgotten. Mr. Richard Ray-Newsome had hit a bad period in his life. He is from the United Kingdom, and was here in the U.S. visiting and ended up losing everything during a hurricane.

Being legally blind and over 65 years old, he didn’t know where to turn for help and became depressed and ended up on the streets for a period of time. Richard came to our shelter in December of 2020 during the first winter of COVID. Because of travel restrictions and other challenges, Richard was not able to just go home.

Unfortunately, Richard lost everything, that included his passport, all forms of identification, his cell phone with all phone numbers, and all of his other belongings. He didn’t know what to do – stranded in a foreign country with no family to help out. St. Vincent de Paul was so blessed to be a friend and family to Richard, and our case management team worked with him. It wasn’t easy for him or our case management team. We had to figure out what we needed to do to help. First, we contacted our own federal government for guidance. They directed us to the closest Consulate of the United Kingdom in Houston. We then worked with them and helped Richard take the steps necessary to get back home.

During this process, Richard worked with someone to set up a Facebook page to try and find someone from his family. His cousin was looking for him, and a connection was made! At first, the family thought he must have been dead, but thank God they were able to connect. They bought him an airline ticket to get back home. We worked with Richard to do all of the necessary paperwork, and other requirements, and this past May he was back with family in England.

If someone is looking for a hand-out, this is not the place for them. But if they are like Richard and have hit hard times and need a hand-up of hope, we are here for them. If they are willing to invest in themselves and work toward a better future, then we are willing to help them write the next chapter in their lives. Life is like a book – chapter after chapter filled with suspense, drama, obstacles, and heroes. You are one of the heroes, and every time we extend a hand-up on your behalf, we are helping someone through a difficult chapter in their life.

St. Vincent de Paul is not only a community leader in providing shelter to men, but also to women, children and families. Our two shelters for men, and two shelters for women and families play such an important role in our community. Did you know that we are the only night shelter program in our area that will provide services to homeless mothers with male children who are over the age of 5, homeless fathers with children and couples with children?

This summer, we are seeing a large number of people in need. With the support of people like you, we have been able to make a real difference in thousands of lives, and we are so grateful to have you as a member of our St. Vincent de Paul family. Please continue to support our efforts and keep us in your thoughts and prayers during these difficult times.

Richard poses for a quick picture with his cousin in the United Kingdom. Richard is so thankful to be back home. He was lost, but now he is found!

Norma Cosey, SVDP Leader Named Baker Citizen of the Year!

To look into the eyes of people filled with hope and joy who say, “With your help I know I can make it,” is the reward volunteers experience in the church parish conferences of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.  Their fulfillment expands even more when a community, such as the city of Baker, affirms their work.   The Baker Interclub, which is comprised of an array of civic- and faith-based organizations, recently recognized Norma Cosey, and by extension, the St. Vincent de Paul Conference of St. Isidore Church in Baker, by naming Norma Cosey Baker Citizen of the Year.  Norma, the conference president and coordinator for the St. Isidore food pantry, was recognized for volunteering her time, talent and efforts to improve the quality of life in Baker.   But Norma prefers to shine the spotlight on the ministry of all who come together through the St. Isidore SVDP Conference to serve their neighbors.
 
Norma’s two sisters had experience working with food banks, so her interest was piqued when she saw an announcement seeking volunteers for the St. Isidore food pantry.  “If you remember those first experiences it keeps you coming back again,” noted Norma, who started with assembling food boxes and learning about the food pantry operations. She loves the “sweet reward” of serving people.  “They may not have much but one thing they do have is a lot of love and they’ll tell you they love you and what a wonderful service we’re providing to them. The food pantry is love in action,” said Norma.
 
Norma said her “wonderful group of Vincentian volunteers” include people of various walks of life and talents, including retired police officers, nurses, welders, deacons, truck drivers, etc.  Norma said there are “a few comedians” among the volunteers who help the people feel at ease, especially those who never thought they would find themselves in positions of needing assistance.  “They might feel hesitant or ashamed, and we make them feel like ‘it’s okay, we’re here to help you,’” said Norma.  Celeste Deville, a retired nurse who checks applications when people come to the food pantry, said in addition to meeting many people, she has noted the generosity of the volunteers.  “The guys will sometimes help out of their own pockets,” said Deville.

Ronald Canady, a member of Council 485 “Mother of Perpetual Help” Knights of Columbus of St. Isidore, helps unload trucks of food from the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and assemble boxes. He said, “there is no question people need the help.”  He now stands alongside people in the battles they face as they struggle financially and to retain their own dignity.  And he likes to celebrate the victories when people get back on their feet.  
 
Norma Cosey and the St. Isidore St. Vincent de Paul Conference are truly  performing the corporal works of mercy Jesus calls for in Matthew 25:35-40.  They see the face of Christ in their neighbor in need.
 
This article was compiled from a story written by Debbie Shelly in The Catholic Commentator.  SVDP thanks The Catholic Commentator for covering this story, and all of the Good News in this area!

In last summer’s newsletter, I shared with you that we were still working hard to get through the ongoing pandemic. You might recall that the number of COVID cases were surging. A lot has changed since last year, but some things are still very much the same. Unfortunately, COVID is still with us, but this year we are witnessing a struggling economy, with the cost of gas and basic necessities creating difficulties both nationally and locally. Gas prices are up, grocery prices continue to rise and rents are going through the roof - literally.

The whole country is struggling with this economic crisis. Where will it end, and what does it mean for us here at St. Vincent de Paul? Our meal counts are high and our shelters (for men, women, children & families) are staying full. That’s an indication to us that the local economy is tightening, at least for the low-income and elderly. For instance, at our Dining Room, more people are coming to us in need, and we are making a real difference with our two service locations – St. Vincent de Paul’s Main Campus and St. Gerard’s Seelos Hall. Inflation is making it so difficult for families and individuals to put food on the table even if they are working two jobs to make ends meet.

How many charities can say they were here during the Great Depression? We were also here during the recession of the 1980’s and the Great Recession of the 2000’s. And once again, we’re here for another bleak economic outlook. Our 157-year track record of excellence continues as we do our best to serve those who need us most. The public is suffering as prices continue to escalate, and financial contributions have been down over the last few months. Our supporters still share our concerns for the poor and continue to contribute to our work, but just as our organization is watching every penny, thousands of people are also tightening their belts and cannot afford to be as generous as they would like to be. Somehow, over the years, things have always worked out, and time after time, I’ve seen God’s hand at work in the most remarkable ways. I am confident that, by the grace of God, and with your support, we will be able to meet every challenge that 2022 brings our way.

St. Vincent de Paul has gone through many changes during our history. We’ve seen economic booms and busts over the years. But one thing that will never change is our commitment to our neighbors in need. We may live in one of the poorest states in the nation, but there is not a more generous community than ours. On behalf of all those we are blessed to serve, thank you for helping those who are suffering from hunger, homelessness, and poverty.

-- Michael J. Acaldo, President & CEO

A Moment in Time!

Last summer, we never imagined that gas prices would have such a dramatic impact on the people we serve or on our organization as a whole. Escalating gas prices are affecting us all, but the people who can least afford these increases are the ones who are being hit the hardest. Rising gas prices can be financially devastating when you’re already struggling to pay for food and rent.  To make matters even worse, many low-income people drive older cars that are not as fuel efficient as later models. 

When budgets have been stretched to the breaking point, items that most of us take for granted suddenly become luxuries.  Things like school uniforms drop to the bottom of the priority list, and needy children are forced to attend school without the proper attire.  The first day of school becomes something to dread, and the fear of being ridiculed and embarrassed is a child’s worst nightmare.  Kids don’t choose to be born into poverty, but, unfortunately, they often bear the heaviest burden.  Can you remember being young and how painful a few thoughtless words could be?  One hurtful comment can humiliate a child and leave a scar that lasts a lifetime.

Look at the beautiful faces and the smiles of the children throughout this article. It’s impossible to capture the essence of who they are – their innocence, their personalities, hopes and fears – but the camera has recorded a special moment in time, a brief period of distraction from the problems of poverty. These photos were taken in the midst of selecting new school uniforms at St. Vincent de Paul.

Our goal for the 2022 Uniforms for Kids campaign is to make that first day of school something every child looks forward to. St. Vincent de Paul and our partners – WAFB-Channel 9, The Greater Baton Rouge State Fair, The Albemarle Foundation, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health and First American Bank & Trust – are again working together to meet the overwhelming community need.  Our reward is knowing that our efforts can preserve the dignity and self-esteem of thousands of children who have already faced too many challenges in their short lives. You can help us to make life a little easier for a child in need.  Be a visible sign of God’s love by  extending a helping hand to a needy child.  Help them get the education they so desperately need.  $12.00 will purchase one uniform, and we give every child two uniforms.  Can you make a contribution of $24.00 or help even more children with a larger contribution?  Help us to make our community a better place for children who desperately need to stay in the classroom.  Join us in helping children like Cade, Aimee, Jay and Annie by clicking here to make a financial gift. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

How many children can you help?

·         $ 12 will purchase one uniform

·         $ 24 will provide a child with two uniforms

·         $120 helps 5 kids -- $1,200 helps 50 kids

Annual Holly Jolly Event Was A Success!

The Annual Holly Jolly Event at Alexander's Highland Market was a great success raising over $41,000. Lathan and Kelly Alexander are a couple filled with faith, and they have generously dedicated $10,000 of their gift to Uniforms for Kids! This support is a great way to kick-off this year’s campaign! Lathan Alexander presents a check to Michael Acaldo at Alexander’s!
Thank you, Alexander’s Market! Every penny is needed if we are going to make our Uniforms for Kids goal! Your help is needed!

St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room 40 Years and Counting

In July, 40 years ago, the volunteer leadership of the Society opened the first St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room in our community. Under the leadership of Fred Griggs, volunteers came together to respond to the growing issue of hunger in the Capital City. Fred and other volunteers like Vernon Broussard, Laura and Rosie Martina, Marvin Ourso, Bill LeBlanc, Jewel Newman, Claude Doucet, and a long list of others, worked together to address this problem.

Fred knew of someone who had a house on South 21st Street that was vacant at that time, and the owner agreed to let us open a dining room at that location. Initially, anywhere from 20 to 50 people would show up each day for a hot meal. And it wasn’t just the meal that was hot: there was no air conditioning! Once we received a permit to open, volunteers began preparing meals. No menu was prepared in advance, since the meals were based on the donated items that were left on the back porch each morning.

One of the dining room’s founders, Rosie Martina, is still very involved with food donations, even though he just celebrated his 99thbirthday. Rosie makes food pick-ups and coordinates a small army of volunteers who also pick up donated food from local supermarkets, bakeries, and restaurants. Rosie can certainly tell some wonderful stories about the early days of our Dining Room Program.

We soon outgrew that first small dining room. Fred and Rosie began to say, “We only have seating for 10 people while others are waiting for an empty chair. We need something bigger.” That’s where Mr. and Mrs. Alec Bourgeois came in. They owned a lot on N. 16th St. that they wanted to donate to us to help in this mission of charity. Fred said, “Great, we’ll accept the contribution and commit to building a new dining room.” Fred and this group of community leaders knew they had three powerful things in their favor: God, Bishop Stanley Ott, and the support of our community.

Fred, who was a local contractor, encouraged other contractors to donate materials – tile, lumber, paint, nails – anything we could use in the construction of a new building with a top-notch kitchen. We were able to open a new, larger dining room in 1984. In fact, our kitchen is in that same location today. At that time, our address was 220 North 16th St., but in 1996, thanks to the efforts of Jewel Newman, the Mayor-President and the Metro-Council agreed to change the name of our street to St. Vincent de Paul Place in recognition of more than one million meals served. Today, we have now served over 7 million meals and counting!

In 2003, the Society recognized the need to expand again, and we built the current dining room, which is connected to the kitchen that was built in 1984 and upgraded in the 1990’s by the Pennington Family Foundation.

Today, the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room is still going strong, serving over 215,000 meals last year. This would not have been possible without faith, hard work and the unbelievable generosity of our community. Please keep the founders of the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room in your thoughts and prayers this July as we celebrate 40 years of excellence in serving God’s poor and hungry.