St. Vincent de Paul

Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish is actively involved in providing assistance to those in need in our 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 provision of food, financial assistance and used furniture/appliances for those in need.

SVDP has a small food pantry for assisting those who contact our church office for the most basic need of food. In addition, our parish provides 100 food baskets at Thanksgiving and 100 at Christmas for distribution to those who might otherwise go without a holiday meal at these special times of the year. 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---especially in a weak economy. Qualified applicants 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, the 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. OLQH parishioners have always been generous in the six collections each year for SVDP and the loose collections taken at daily Masses during Lent. Donations can also be made throughout the year.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 off Satation 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, 477-1236, for more information:
 
PHONE VOLUNTEERS
Dedicated and compassionate volunteers answer phone calls for assistance on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday 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 a period of 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 food as needed for those who contact our church office. 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 FOOD BASKET VOLUNTEERS 
In preparation for our Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Food Basket distribution, volunteers man the phones on a specific date to receive calls from 100+ persons desiring a food basket for the holiday.  Phone volunteers verify the name, current address and phone number and the number of persons in the household.   
A volunteer contacts each of the qualified recipients of the food baskets to verify that their information is correct and inform them of the date, time and location of the holiday food basket distribution. 
A volunteer types an alphabetized list of recipients of the holiday food baskets as well as labels for each of the recipients.  Recipients must show a picture ID that matches the information on the label before a food basket can be released to them. 
Volunteers arrange for empty boxes and pack them with the appropriate food items.On the day of distribution, volunteers secure the license of recipients and match it with the label on the food box 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 which can be used to pick up large items.   
To volunteer, call 477-1236 or use the LINK to right to fill in and submit the Volunteer Form to Felicia Borel.
Another way you can help support the St. Vincent de Paul ministry by making a donation.
To donate to our St. Vincent de Paul Ministry: