How It Can Help Your Family
I know that as parents, we want our children to grow into caring and compassionate individuals. Participation in our St. Joseph Conference offers a very real and tangible way to set this type of example for your family. It is true that children learn more from what we as parents do versus what we say. And the children who have participated are blessed with the good feelings that result in helping someone less fortunate.
Many of our schools are now requiring students to participate in community service. The Society would be a tremendous avenue for your student to satisfy their requirement.
Hometown Heroes: St Vincent De Paul Food Bank
President of St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank
John Rowe packs up a box of groceries at St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank.
- Ric Hinkie
Tom Brummel, a fifth year volunteer, runs a box of groceries out to a resident.
- Ric Hinkie
Imagine a fully stocked grocery store canned goods, bakery, dairy, fresh veggies, frozen food, fruit and more. This is one store where you cant buy anything. Its all free to needy residents. The St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank feeds 70 to 80 families every 10 days. Thats more than 2,565 boxes provided in a year and more than 15,000 pounds of food every month gathered from a variety of local and Valley sources.
It takes more than 100 volunteers to keep the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank and shopping mall operating. Shelves must be stocked and the food supplied. These are this Roundup issues Hometown Heroes.
On my tour with guide Joe Rizzo, president, I met Kathy Belman, the treasurer, who was accounting for the financial and food donations. Records are needed for a variety of supporting organizations which include the United Food Bank in Phoenix, St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix, individual donors of both food and money, and local supermarkets Bashas and Safeway who also contribute, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Payson Helping Payson and Community Presbyterian Church also assist St. Vincent de Paul financially.
There is special help for the homeless. They provide food that does not have to be cooked in special bags.
St Vincent De Paul At St Benedict Catholic Church
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international fraternal non-profit organization of lay people dedicated to serving the poor and providing others with the opportunity to serve.
The St. Benedict St. Vincent de Paul Conference volunteers perform the following:
- Respond to calls placed to our SVdP Help Line
- Meet bi-weekly as a Conference with spirituality, fellowship and to review client cases
- Visit clients in their homes to assess needs
- Assist clients within our boundaries with financial help or referral to other services
- Staff and stock our church food pantry
- Organize parish volunteers for activities including serving meals to the homeless, Turkey Tuesday, food drive, and SVDP Thrift Store assistance
If you have an interest in becoming a volunteer, please contact our Help Line 480.961.1610 ext. 315 and leave a message with your name, telephone number and a brief message.
To Become Better, to Do a Little Good.
Blessed Frederic Ozanam, Founder of St. Vincent de Paul
Read Also: West Texas Food Bank Midland Tx
Food Pantry At The Atkinson Food Room
The Atkinson Food Room is designed to offer a grocery-shopping style experience for individuals and families in need. Guests select their own items, choosing what best suits the needs of their family. This process helps to reduce waste and to meet the actual needs of families. Due to Covid-19, the Atkinson Food Room currently offers pre-packaged food boxes on Tuesday only and shopping style Thursday and Friday. Visitors need to provide bags and/or boxes to carry their food on Thursday and Friday.
How To Donate To Season For Sharing
With the help of our readers, weve raised and given away nearly $68 million to nonprofit organizations around the state over the past 26 years. Help us continue that support.
Here are four ways to donate to Season for Sharing:
- Fill out the secure, online form at sharing.azcentral.com.
- Text SHARING to 91-999 and click on the link in the text message.
- Go online at facebook.com/seasonforsharing and look for the DONATE HERE post.
- Clip the coupon on Page 4A of The Arizona Republic, fill it out and mail it to P.O. Box 29250, Phoenix AZ 85038-9250.
Where does the money go?
When you give to Season for Sharing, your donation goes toward helping nonprofits that support education, feed the hungry and help struggling families.
Every dollar of your donations and matching funds go to Arizona nonprofit organizations, because all overhead and fundraising costs are covered by The Republic.
Matching your donation
Through partnerships with our community partners the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust and the Arizona Community Foundation, your charitable donations have even more of an impact.
Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust matches 50 cents on the dollar up to $100,000.
The Arizona Community Foundation provides the grant application portal and manages the collection of donations and distribution of grants.
Reach the reporter Jamie Landers at . Follow her on Twitter .
Don’t Miss: St. Mary’s Food Bank Surprise Arizona
Saint Vincent De Paul Society
“the poor we see with the eyes of flesh they are there and we can put finger and hand in their wounds and the scars of the crown of thorns are visible on their foreheads and at this point incredulity no longer has place and we should fall at their feet and say with the apostle, Tu est Dominus et Deus meus . You are our masters, and we will be your servants. You are for us the sacred images of that God who we do not see, and not knowing how to love Him otherwise shall we not love Him in your person?”
Blessed Frederic Ozanam, Saint Vincent de Paul Founder
“The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is dedicated to feeding, clothing, housing and healing individuals and families in our community who have nowhere else to turn for help. As important, SVdP provides meaningful opportunities for volunteers to serve their neighbors in need with love and compassion.
SVdP has been serving our community throughout central and northern Arizona since 1946. Programs include:
- Services for the homeless.
- Medical and dental care for the working poor.
- Charity dining rooms that serve thousands each day.
- Food boxes for hungry families.
- Thrift stores throughout the region.
- A bridge housing shelter.
- General assistance for individuals in need.
We provide help for people’s physical, mental, and spiritual needs. By doing this with care and respect, we show them that they matter and they are children of God.
from the Mission of Saint Vincent de Paul
Consider Volunteering Or Donating
Clothing and Furniture Drive: March Spring Cleaning can make you feel like a load has been lifted and you feel a little lighter! You can assist SVdP by donating your used furniture, household items and gently used clean clothing during the two-day Furniture Drive in March. The SVdP truck and volunteers will be in the Church’s north parking lot to receive your donated items.
Summer Water Drive: July and AugustAlthough in the past, we accepted donations of cases of water, we have found that our purchasing power goes farther. Therefore, we have shifted to requesting donations to maximize your donations! We buy the bottled water and deliver to the homeless throughout the Valley.
Coats Sweaters Blankets: Month of OctoberClear out your closets during your October fall cleaning and bring gently worn coats, sweaters, or blankets to donate for the homeless. Bins are available in the courtyard.
Fall Food DriveThe holidays can be scarce for some of our neighbors in need. After Masses in mid-November, SVdP volunteers will be distributing grocery bags with a list of needed items for donations. Monetary gifts are welcomed as well. An info sheet will also be on the bag or you can give directly to the St. Vincent DePaul boxes in the vestibule of the church! Watch the bulletin in the fall for exact dates.
Trained Home VisitorsTake phone messages and visit families at their homes to determine needed assistance.Time Commitment: 1 day per week
Contributions can be made up to April 15.
You May Like: Food Banks In Saginaw Mi
What Is The Society Of St Vincent De Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international non-profit organization dedicated to spirituality, fellowship, friendship, and serving those in need.
A food pantry and office for St. Vincent de Paul is located on the Parish campus, however, it is not open to the public. It is available, on a pre-scheduled basis, to receive food donations, including perishable items. Please contact us to make arrangements.
Our Conference has officers comprised of President, Co-President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Spiritual Advisor. We have approximately 50 active members in our St. Joseph Conference and we refer to ourselves and others in the Society as Vincentians
St Mary’s Food Bank Alliance
| Established |
|---|
|
| President |
| .org |
St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance is a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization located in Phoenix, Arizona. Founded in 1967 by John van Hengel, St. Mary’s was the first modern organization to operate using the food bank model, which spread throughout U.S. and the rest of the world. Today, St. Mary’s is recognized as the world’s first food bank.
Since its creation, St. Mary’s has expanded its operations to nine of Arizona’s fifteen counties, distributing millions of pounds of food to the hungry each year. St. Mary’s also operates its own food pantry, allowing people to get food directly from the warehouse. The organization additionally offers specialized programs apart from food banking, including after-school programs for children and career training for adults.
St. Mary’s is a member of Feeding America, a network of hunger-relief organizations also founded by van Hengel with the purpose of providing food to people across the country.
Read Also: Corpus Christi Food Bank Donation
What Is The Difference Between A Food Bank And A Food Pantry
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
Arizonans Need Food Assistance More Than Ever Especially For Holidays
As of Nov. 10, approximately 395,000 Arizonans are out of work and collecting benefits. Since September, that has entailed a state maximum of $240 a week for unemployment insurance, or “pandemic unemployment compensation.”
The need for food assistance is so high that on Oct. 29, Gov. Doug Ducey announced an additional $1.6 million in assistance to Arizona food banks. The funds are largely targeted toward families and seniors affected by the pandemic.
With the timing of the presidential election and a spike in COVID-19 cases, Brown said St. Marys struggled to accommodate community needs. On Nov. 13, the food bank still needed 7,700 turkeys to reach its goal of 12,000 by Thanksgiving Day.
Hes hopeful, nonetheless.
I’m hoping this year that people have a real understanding for what people need, Brown said. If you haven’t had COVID in your family, if you haven’t had to change your job, if you haven’t had to have your hours cut those are the people I am hoping will step forward and make a donation and make a difference this year.
This has been the most challenging of the 53 years that the Worlds First Food Bank has serving the hungry of Arizona,” St. Marys Food Bank President and CEO Tom Kertis said in a press release. “We thank all of those who have helped the Food Bank say Yes! to all families in need and we ask you to help us again during this special time of the year.
You May Like: Northern Illinois Food Bank Mobile Pantry
Arizona Tax Credits: Eligible Charitable Contributions
Arizona law provides a number of tax credits. A credit counts dollar-for-dollar against your state income tax liability. Instead of writing a check to the Arizona Department of Revenue, you write checks to charities, and reduce what you owe in Arizona taxes by the amount of your contribution.
| Tax Credit | |
|---|---|
| Donations to Qualifying Charitable Organizations | $800/$400 |
| Donations to Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organizations | $1,000/$500 |
| Donations to certified School Tuition Organizations | $1,131/$566 |
| Donations to private School Tuition Organizations | $1,138/$569 |
St. Vincent de Paul Phoenix , St. Marys Food Bank , St. Joseph the Worker , Housing for Hope , Maggies Place and 1st Way Pregnancy Center are Qualifying Charitable Organizations. Each approved QCO has a five-digit code that you enter on Form 321. A complete list of QCOs is HERE.
Catholic Charities Community Services is a Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organization. Each approved QFCO also has a five-digit code that is entered on Form 352. A complete list of QFCOs is HERE.
and Both Catholic Education Arizona and the Brophy Community Foundation are certified School Tuition Organizations. You can direct your credit to a particular school , or allow the STO to distribute. To claim the original private credit, file Form 323. To claim the certified credit, file Form 348. A complete list of STOs HERE.
A separate credit is available for donations or fees paid to public schools . File Form 322.
How Does A Food Pantry Work
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.
Our vision is simplebring financial security, dignity, and savings to the millions experiencing financial stress.
Quick Links
Recommended Reading: Atlanta Community Food Bank Donations
How Much Time Will It Require
This is always a difficult question to answer as it would depend entirely on the level of involvement each member and family is comfortable providing. We would like to provide a basic estimate of the time commitment for various Conference activities.
|
Basic training to become a Vincentian |
Two 8-hours sessions |
|
Two Conference meetings each month |
|
|
Food delivery team member |
What We Do As Vincentians
Our Vincentian members provide help to the community in a variety of ways by delivering food from our pantry, by administering financial aid, or by working at the main downtown facility in the food warehouse, kitchen, clinic, or shelters. Some members volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores located throughout the city.
While the Society is international, each Conference provides assistance to families and individuals who reside within our local boundaries so they are our neighbors. These are honest, hard-working people going through a difficult time. So many people in our community live from paycheck to paycheck, hand to mouth. All it takes is one unplanned car repair, one unexpected medical emergency, or scaled back hours at work and suddenly, a family is in emotional and financial crisis.
That is where our Conference can help. Our volunteers can deliver food to a hungry family, make a utility payment to prevent services from being disconnected, or help with a portion of a rent payment to keep a family in their home. We also provide vouchers for clothing and furniture from the SVdP thrift stores or sometimes just visit with someone to reassure them that they are not alone during a difficult time.
Read Also: St Mary’s Food Bank In Surprise
The Little Food Engine That Can
468,000 Families are in need across central and northern Arizona.
Our Food Reclamation Facility is equal parts community compassion and process engineering. No good food goes to waste. Over 6 million pounds arrive at our warehouse every year, donated by community food drives and generous grocers, and all items are cleaned, sorted, and measured against the strictest of quality control standards. From there, its sent off to one of our 5 dining rooms, or packed and shipped out to our food pantries. Over 400,000 food boxes are delivered through home visits and other charitable organizations. And these aren’t any ordinary food boxes: Beyond the necessities, we try to include surprises that make our recipients smile. With your help, we can deliver more.
Why We Need You Yes You
The calls we receive requesting assistance are increasing and many of our active members are aging. Many are no longer physically able to support our mission. As a result, we need new members who can join us in serving the poor within our parish boundaries.
Please consider this a standing invitation to become a member of our Vincentian family at St. Joseph. Help us serve the poor by putting your Catholic faith into action, and serving the most fragile and vulnerable of those among us.
Recommended Reading: Food Delivery With Bank Account
The Society Of St Vincent De Paul To Serve 4500 Drive
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, another Arizona nonprofit supported by Season for Sharing, operates two free food programs serving more than 4,000 homeless and low-income people a day.
They’ve changed their approach during the pandemic. At their dining rooms across metro Phoenix, the nonprofit is packing meals for guests to take to go. And during home visits, trained volunteers are bringing food boxes and offering emotional support.
St. Vincent de Paul also operates a food reclamation facility where grocers, food drive organizers and restaurants can donate food.
At the beginning, it was really tough to shift from such a model of social embrace to a model of social distancing, said Danielle McMahon, director of food services for the nonprofit. Those dining halls, with sometimes hundreds of people and volunteers, went to all to-go meal services.
McMahon said St. Vincent de Paul is preparing to serve more than 4,500 food boxes on Thanksgiving and Christmas. On Nov. 24, St. Vincent de Paul will partake in its 28th Turkey Tuesday, the Valley’s largest one-day turkey drive hosted by 12 News. This years goal: 30,000 turkeys.
We are really hoping to see the community come out and help their fellow neighbors during this time. It truly does take an entire community supporting our mission to accomplish that, she said.
CHECK OUT: Here are 13 resources for metro Phoenix families facing food insecurity during COVID-19