St. Vincent de Paul

Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish is actively involved in providing assistance to those in need in our parish area. Our St. Vincent de Paul Ministry (SVDP) is a primary contributor to this outreach by the Parish. All monetary donations given to our SVDP go directly to assisting the poor---we pay no expenses! The main areas of assistance provided through SVDP involve the provision of emergency food, financial assistance, and used furniture/appliances for those in need in our area.

SVDP has a small limited supply of emergency food to assist those who contact our church office for the most basic needs. This is a one-time emergency food assistance that is offered. For a regular distribution of food, please contact Catholic Charities, or call the church office for a list of distributors in our area. The food operation is supported by donations of non-perishable food items from our parishioners, PREP, and OLQH School.

Many people in our area experience unforeseen circumstances resulting in a need for emergency financial assistance. Qualified applicants in our parish boundary area can receive assistance with emergency utility or rent assistance as well as other emergency financial assistance. Applicants are additionally screened through a computerized system called Charity Tracker which allows for communication with Catholic Charities and other local churches and aid agencies to avoid fraud, scams, and excessive duplication of aid.

The SVDP accepts and stores in our warehouse donations of good-used living, dining, and bedroom furniture and working appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, washers, and dryers. These items can then be distributed to families or persons recovering from an emergency such as fire, hurricane, flood, moving out of the Women’s Shelter, etc., who need help re-establishing their homes. Arrangements can be made to pick up donated items if necessary.

Thanks to the generosity of our parishioners, SVDP is also able to respond to requests to partner with local aid agencies, Catholic Charities, and other parishes in the diocese to assist the poor outside of our parish boundaries for the good of the larger community. Thank you for your continued support of our parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Ministry.

**We do not accept clothing. We refer you to the CARC Thrift Store on McNeese or GoodWill Drop Station on Nelson.

Volunteer Opportunities

ST. VINCENT de PAUL OUTREACH MINISTRY
 Our Lady Queen of Heaven’s St. Vincent de Paul Ministry could not operate without the generosity of our parishioners, including all of the volunteers who so generously give of their time. 
One way to support the St. Vincent de Paul ministry is to volunteer in one of the following ministries. Contact the church office at 477-1236 for more information.
 
PHONE VOLUNTEERS
Dedicated and compassionate volunteers answer phone calls for assistance on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in the church office. These volunteers screen applicants, complete an application form and route the forms to the appropriate coordinator (food, financial, or furniture). The commitment is one morning per week for two hours. Substitutes for regular volunteers are needed on an ‘as needed’ basis. Good phone skills are required and light computer skills are helpful.
 
FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS
Our SVDP food pantry provides one-time emergency food for those who contact the office in our area. The pantry coordinator is given the contact information for persons needing food assistance and makes arrangements to provide them with an adequate supply of food. 
 
HOLIDAY VOLUNTEERS  
In preparation for our Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday gift card distribution, volunteers man the phones on a specific date to receive calls from 100+ persons desiring a gift card for the holiday.  Phone volunteers verify the name, current address, and phone number as well as the number of persons in the household.   
 A volunteer contacts each of the qualified recipients of the gift card to verify that their information is correct and inform them of the date, time, and location of the holiday gift card distribution. 
 A volunteer types an alphabetized list of recipients of the holiday gift cards as well as labels for each of the recipients. Recipients must show a picture ID that matches the information on the label before a gift card can be released to them. 
 On the day of distribution, volunteers secure the license of recipients and match it with the label on the gift card for each recipient.

FURNITURE WAREHOUSE
Volunteers are contacted as needed to help pick up donated furniture or appliances and bring them to the warehouse for storage. OLQH has a trailer that can be used to pick up large items.   
 To volunteer, call 477-1236 or use the LINK to the right to fill in and submit the Volunteer Form to Felicia Borel.
 Another way you can help support the St. Vincent de Paul ministry is by making a donation.
 To donate to our St. Vincent de Paul Ministry: