Currently St. Vincent de Paul St. Henry Conference has several special events happening throughout the year.
For more info contact St Vincent De Paul Society:
The St. Vincent de Paul Society is an international charitable lay Catholic organization established in 1833 by a young college student, Frederic Ozanam. He named the Society after St Vincent de Paul. The first St. Vincent de Paul Conference on the pacific coast was established in Portland Oregon on October 9, 1869.
St. Henry Saint Vincent De Paul (SVdP) Conference has been operating continuously at St Henry Parish since 1955. We have been blessed with the solid support of our Pastors and parishioners over all these years. It provides food assistance to all in need through the operation of a food pantry located in the parish center across the street from the church. Members of this lay society meet monthly in the parish center to pray together, discuss pantry operations, discern how best to meet the needs of those in need of the services provided by SVdP, and to decide how the funds contributed by the parishioners can be most wisely spent in support of the Society’s mission.
“Jesus summoned his disciples and said, "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way."
(Matthew 15: 32)
Our Pantry: The pantry opens each Tuesday and Saturday at 9:30 am until 12:00 pm. Due to the demand, Individuals / families can only receive food assistance from the pantry once each calendar month. They must also reside within our parish boundaries. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
The pantry is staffed entirely with volunteers. You do not have to be a Catholic or a member of St Henry’s parish to volunteer. But, you do have to be a catholic in good standing order to serve as an officer of our conference.
Twinning: “Twinning” is a 'special work' of the Society. It takes place when Councils and Conferences in more affluent areas reach out to help their Vincentian Brothers and Sisters in less affluent areas.
Rent and Utilities: We provide assistance in paying rent and utilities when the person we are serving is faced with eviction or the termination of service. This has long been an important mission of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Call the St Vincent de Paul Council for assistance at 503-235-8431 9:00am – Noon and again 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Our Homeless: Members of our community who find themselves homeless may receive food and Hygiene products once a week. Occasionally we have other items available such as blankets, coats, socks, hat and gloves.
Other Opportunities:
Besides pantry operations, there are other opportunities for service.
¨ Serve as an officer of the St Henry Conference
¨ Pray for the success of the conference and its work.
¨ Language Translation & being an advocate.
¨ Help with keeping everything nice and clean
¨ Help restock shelves for the upcoming pantry session
¨ Able to lift 40 - 50 lbs and help unload truck
¨ Driving to pick up donations form a local grocery store.
¨ Be responsible for copying paperwork
¨ We have a particular need for help during the Tuesday and Saturday Session (9am-12:30pm)
Your generous support either finical, material, or your time is greatly appreciated and St. Henry conference couldn’t do it without you.
Pantry clients need certain items that the Conference can’t afford to purchase.
Here’s the “Wish List” of items that can be placed in the Blue barrels in the entrance vestibules: