Denver: The National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul set out to make sure that the poor and homeless experienced a holiday filled with community. “Society members work with people in poverty and the homeless 365 days a year. Our parish-based Conferences operate food pantries, dining facilities, and shelters year-round to help people in need with food and shelter,” said Dave Barringer, the National CEO of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
“In addition to our year-round efforts, many St. Vincent de Paul Conferences and Councils do extra work around Thanksgiving,” Barringer told CNA.
In Arizona, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Phoenix Council also helps with the community’s annual turkey drive, in what locals call “Turkey Tuesday.” Every Tuesday before Thanksgiving, locals bring turkeys to designated grocery stores to donate them to those in need. In 2016, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul received more than 26,000 donated turkeys.
A St. Vincent de Paul Conference in the Pittsburgh suburb of Sewickley, Pennsylvania delivers about 100 Thanksgiving dinners to families in need around the area, including turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy.
Although feeding the hungry during the holidays is necessary, one of the main goals of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is to address the needs of the poor every day of the year. “The holidays are a time when interest in caring for people in poverty is especially high. It is also a good time to invite people to carry on in that spirit of generosity and put their faith in action by helping people in need throughout the year,” Barringer said. “People are hungry every day of the year.” Originally published by CNA
