In 1925, the needs of neighbors struggling to make ends meet galvanized a small group of Madison Catholic parishioners – and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Madison was born. One hundred years later, the compassion, dedication, and strength of our volunteers, donors, and employees continue to offer help and hope to neighbors facing hardship across Dane County. As we enter our 101st year, we invite you to get involved in our mission to alleviate suffering and support the most vulnerable in our community.

For a century, employees, shoppers, donors, members, and supporters like you have been a steady presence for local people experiencing poverty, hunger, illness, and isolation. Through every challenge, our mission has remained the same: to help our neighbors in need. As we look ahead to the next 100 years, we honor the caring individuals who have shaped our past and invite you to help build our future.

Here are 101 ways to get involved with SVdP Madison…

Build Awareness

1. Wear your SVdP Madison apparel to the store, to the gym, or while running errands.

2. Tell someone about SVdP Madison’s charitable programs.

3. View our 2025 Impact Report.

4. Examine this graph to see the food pantry use by month.

5. Talk to family, friends, and your network about why you love SVdP Madison.

6. Write a letter to the editor about what SVdP Madison means to you.

7. Leave a positive review of SVdP Madison or any St. Vinny’s Thrift Store on Google.

8. Share our latest news stories.

9. Write a short article about SVdP Madison in your church or neighborhood newsletter.

10. Invite SVdP Madison to speak during a Lunch’n Learn at your workplace.

11. Sign up for SVdP USA’s Voter Voice to advocate for our neighbors in need.

12. Refer someone you know to check out our job opportunities.

Donate

13. Make a one-time donation.

14. Become a Sustaining Samaritan monthly donor.

15. Give in honor of a loved one’s birthday or anniversary.

16. Leave a legacy gift in your will.

17. Ask your employer about matching gifts.

18. Give in memory or honor of a loved one.

19. Allocate part of your RMD (if 70½+) to SVdP Madison.

20. Start a workplace giving campaign.

21. Include SVdP Madison in your corporate giving program.

22. Learn about the many ways to give, like donor-advised funds, estate plan gifts, and more.

23. Create a digital fundraiser for SVdP Madison.

Volunteer

24. Set a goal for the number of hours you will volunteer, and make a plan to achieve it.

25. Volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.

26. Volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy.

27. Volunteer at Lacy Garden.

28. Volunteer at Vinny’s Lockers.

29. Invite a co-worker, neighbor, family member, or friend to volunteer with you!

30. Take photos of your time volunteering.

31. Write thank-you notes to SVdP Madison volunteers.

32. Coordinate a volunteer group from your workplace, social group, or church.

Live Out Your Faith

33. Join a St. Vincent de Paul Conference.

34. Refer a high school student you know to join the Youth Service Council.

35. Pray for our neighbors in need.

36. Offer Mass intentions for the Society and the families we serve.

37. Start or join a prayer circle.

38. Say a Rosary for anyone struggling in Dane County.

39. Learn about St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the patron of our housing program.

40. Live out our Vincentian virtues.

41. Form a St. Vincent de Paul Conference at your parish.

Follow Us on Social Media

42. Follow @vinnysdanecounty on Facebook.

43. Follow @vinnysdanecounty on Instagram.

44. Follow @svdpmadison on LinkedIn.

45. Subscribe to @svdpmadison on YouTube.

46. Add your SVdP Madison volunteer experience to your LinkedIn profile.

47. Make a social media post about how SVdP Madison has impacted your life.

48. Post a throwback photo with your favorite St. Vinny’s find.

49. Post a video of your St. Vinny’s Thrift Store haul.

50. Take a photo at your favorite St. Vinny’s Thrift Store.

Shop at St. Vinny’s

51. Visit a St. Vinny’s Thrift Store you’ve never been to before.

52. Bring a friend or family member to thrift shopping.

53. Become a VIP shopper.

54. “Round Up” your purchase total to support our charitable programs.

55. Visit all seven St. Vinny’s Thrift Stores in Dane County.

56. Get a new mattress at St. Vinny’s Thrift Stores.

57. Bookmark our events page.

58. Check out the list of accepted donation items.

59. Shop for your Halloween costume at St. Vinny’s Thrift Stores.

60. View the impact of your Round Up support.

61. Buy a St. Vinny’s gift card for a loved one.

62. Visit Dig & Save Outlet Store for a unique thrift shopping experience.

63. Learn about our recycling efforts.

64. Host a holiday “Thriftmas” party with gifts only from St. Vinny’s.

Donate Goods

65. Donate gently used clothing, furniture, and home goods.

66. Schedule a free home pickup.

67. Host a donation drive in your neighborhood.

68. Clean out your closet and donate seasonal items.

69. Ask friends and family to donate to SVdP Madison instead of giving gifts.

70. Set a monthly donation goal, such as one bag of clothing per month.

71. Organize a donation drive at your workplace.

72. Donate your garage sale leftovers.

73. Use your move as a reason to declutter and donate.

74. Make a donation to a thrift store as part of your spring cleaning.

75. Encourage your faith community to organize a donation day.

76. Donate produce from your garden to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.

77. Donate new and gently used bedding, blankets, and sheets during the Recycle the Warmth Blanket Drive in January.

78. Donate your vehicle.

79. Set up automatic donations to the pantry through our Amazon Wish List.

Learn More About Us

80. Read the stories of people who’ve been helped by SVdP Madison.

81. Read Julie’s Journal, letters from our CEO & Executive Director.

82. View our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan.

83. Learn about our founders and patrons.

84. Learn about the national and global impact of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

85. Watch and share the “Together We Are SVdP Madison” video.

86. Read and share our newsletters.

Enjoy the Centennial Treasures

87. Watch the historical roundtable video.

88. View the historical exhibit.

89. View the centennial historical catalog.

90. Watch Ralph Middlecamp’s oral history video.

91. Watch Julie Bennett’s oral history video.

92. Watch Patty Bruni’s oral history video.

93. Watch Alejandro Vergara’s oral history video.

94. Watch Ernie Stetenfeld’s oral history video.

95. Watch Brooke Trick and John Cobb’s oral history video.

96. Watch Chris Kane and Jenni Troia’s oral history video.

97. Watch Glen Reichelderfer’s oral history video.

98. Watch Steve Skolaski’s oral history video.

99. Watch Paul Ashe’s oral history video.

100. Watch Mike Meehan’s oral history video.

101. Watch Gayle Westfahl’s oral history video.