Society of Saint Vincent De Paul begins service to the needy in the Diocese of Salt Lake City

Friday, Jul. 10, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, which is called to help those in need, has begun working in the Diocese of Salt Lake City through the Cathedral of the Madeleine’s Good Samaritan Program.

The Good Samaritan Program offers sandwich meals 11 hours a day every day, and also provides clothing, but as with any parish, the cathedral receives requests for other assistance such as help with rent, groceries and medications, said Father Martin Diaz, pastor.

“I talked with a number of cathedral parishioners and with the Good Samaritan advisory board; it seemed to us that the Saint Vincent De Paul Society, known for how well they assist those in need, would be a good fit for the cathedral,” Fr. Diaz said. “The Society made a presentation to a group of parishioners, who signed up to form a St. Vincent De Paul Conference in Salt Lake.” 

The Society of St. Vincent De Paul was founded in the 1800s by Blessed Frederick Ozanam, who served the poor in Paris. His mentor was Daughter of Charity Sister Rosalie Rendu, who taught the first members how to care for the poor and the sick. 

The Society of St. Vincent De Paul is international; the Salt Lake City conference is part of the Western Region and was started by Brian O’Donnel, Western Region vice president, and Margarita Galindo, the National Hispanic vice president. The Salt Lake City conference is bilingual. 

After receiving training, those in Utah began serving in May.

“We help those people who are at risk of losing their homes, need assistance with rent or utilities, are in need of food, clothing or a friend,” said Whitney Myers, president.

To receive help, people leave a phone message with the local conference; the number is published through the Good Samaritan Program, at the cathedral and on Facebook under the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul – St. Mary Magdalene.

The call is returned within 24 hours, Myers said. “We determine their needs and send two of our members to their home.” 

As soon as the phone line was set up, someone in need called, said Myers. 

The conference offers more than monetary support, said Kris Ortega, treasurer. “We also act as advocates to guide people toward getting on their feet; the next step in getting out of homelessness.” 

The national St. Vincent De Paul Society’s long-term goal is to put an end to poverty through systemic change, said Myers. “We want them to get to where they don’t need any support.” 

The Salt Lake conference works with other available resources such as Catholic Community Services and the Fourth Street Clinic “because we may not be able to handle all the situations monetarily,” said Ortega. 

The conference would like a representative from each parish so “we can help those in need throughout the diocese,” Myers added.

The Utah conference, which has 30 members, is bilingual and open to all people regardless of religious affiliation. Full members attend all the meetings; associate members attend when their schedule allows, and contributing donors donate their time or money but may not wish to attend meetings, Ortega said. 

The conference has planned an artisan fair later in the summer and a Friends of the Poor Walk in September in conjunction with the national St. Vincent De Paul Society. The walk is held in more than 200 cities nationwide.  

To join or contribute to the Salt Lake St. Vincent De Paul Conference, or for assistance, call 801-328-8004.