SVDP 2022 Review

YOUR SOCIETY OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL

ST. GERTRUDE’S CONFERENCE 2022 REVIEW

You had a very successful year in serving our Neighbours in Need. Thanks to God’s grace and your determination we were able to provide occasional help to families who experienced unexpected expenses that caused them food insecurity. Your prayers and sharing your time, your wealth and your talents made all the difference.

You were able to serve 424 families including 716 adults and 400 children. 1680 deliveries of food and a food voucher were made. That is an average of 4 deliveries to each family during the year. $55,435 in food vouchers was distributed. That is an average of $130 per family for the year. 70,000 lbs of food, diapers and hygiene products were distributed. That is an average of 165lbs of food per family for the year.  Clothing and furniture were provided on request. You were there when they needed you.

Throughout the year you received financial help, and food drives from the Knights of Columbus, the Durham Catholic District School Board and its schools, Holy Cross Parish, St. Philip The Apostle Parish, St Gertrude’s Parish, St. Gertrude’s  CWL, The Daughters of Isabella, Holy Family Conference, St. Joseph The Worker Conference, OECTA Durham Secondary and Durham Region Feed The Need. The Festival of Lights Food Drive at Mosport Park also contributed to our food inventories.

Many thanks to the Durham Catholic District School Board for allowing us to use the school room portable at Msgr John  Pereyma Secondary School, to store and distribute food to our Neighbours In Need. We are in our second year at the portable. Without the portable we would be unable to serve the families as we do.

A new fridge and freezer were donated to your portable early in the year. Your generosity allowed us to raise the value of food vouchers to families with children by $5. Your Ride for Hunger, cycling and walking fundraiser was very successful.

Marygrove Camp for girls and Camp Ozanam for boys  were opened up again to children for the first time since the pandemic began.  You started handing out food again from the church, to families nearby. This allowed more deliveries to families farther away. The recruiting program this year brought in many new volunteers.

Durham Region Feed The Need continues to be successful at collecting surplus food from the big grocers, that otherwise would go to landfill. The food is directed to your conference and other agencies in Durham region. About 70% of our food comes from Feed the Need.

Your Christmas hamper program was the largest ever and was very successful thanks to your efforts.

We all look forward to serving our Neighbours In Need in 2023.

Mike Crosby