The St Vincent de Paul Society is a world-wide organisation that was founded in 1833, whose members and volunteers provide practical support, advocacy and friendship to the most vulnerable in our community through local groups; known as conferences, ‘Vinnies’ Centres and Soup Vans.
The Society also provides assistance to migrants and refugees seeking to rebuild their lives in a new country as well as supporting individuals and communities in developing countries. The St Vincent de Paul Society provides assistance to people in need each year within their local communities.
Conferences
Conferences respond to calls from people in need within their local communities and provide assistance with food, material aid, budget and utility bill advice, advocacy issues and extending the hand of friendship. They also provide a range of initiatives addressing the specific needs of the people they assist. Young adult conferences and college conferences involve younger members and provide a range of volunteer work in the community, including tutoring and organising Kids Camps for disadvantaged children.
The St Vincent de Paul Conference in Ferntree Gully meets weekly to review the assistance given during the week. There are 12 members of the conference who attend to emergency visits. About 10 calls are received each week, with support given through non-perishable food hampers, meat, fruit and vegetable vouchers. Visits are made to families in their own home irrespective of race, gender, physical or mental health. Each December a Christmas lunch is hosted with invitations sent to local aged care facilities. This is a community activity with support from Knox Council and many volunteers. SVDP also distributes Christmas presents to families donated by parishioners.
Vinnies Centres
Vinnies Centres – op-shops, such as the local one situated in Forest Road, provide quality clothing, furniture and household items to people in need. Stocks are available to the general public at a low cost and free of charge to people being supported by conference members. Profits from the sale of goods in the centres assist in providing ongoing resources and support to people in need.
Phone: 13 18 12
Shop: 32 Forest Road, Ferntree Gully
Phone: (03) 9758 8501
Website: www.vinnies.org.au