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 celebrate this centennial year, we invite you to take part in a year filled with special events, opportunities to give back, and ways to get involved.
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. Whether you’re new to SVdP Madison or have been involved for years, you are invited to join the centennial celebrations this year!
Here are 100 ways to get involved with SVdP Madison’s Centennial this year…
Enjoy Centennial Treasures
1. Share your St. Vinny’s Story.
2. Attend the September 17th, 2025 fundraising dinner.
3. Attend the October 15th, 2025 style show.
4. Attend the April 22nd, 2026 event.
5. View photos from the Centennial Mass & Launch Luncheon.
6. Ask your workplace to be a centennial sponsor.
7. Watch the historical roundtable video.
8. Watch Ralph Middlecamp’s oral history video.
9. Watch Julie Bennett’s oral history video.
10. Watch Patty Bruni’s oral history video.
11. Watch Alejandro Vergara’s oral history video.
12. Watch Ernie Stetenfeld’s oral history video.
13. Watch Brooke Trick and John Cobb’s oral history video.
14. Watch Chris Kane and Jenni Troia’s oral history video.
15. Watch Glen Reichelderfer’s oral history video.
16. Watch Steve Skolaski’s oral history video.
17. Watch Paul Ashe’s oral history video.
18. Watch Mike Meehan’s oral history video.
19. Watch Gayle Westfahl’s oral history video.
20. View the historical exhibit – details coming soon!
21. Invite your parish or workplace to host one of the historical exhibit panels.
Follow Us on Social Media
22. Follow @svdpmadison on Facebook.
23. Follow @svdpmadison on Instagram.
24. Follow @svdpmadison on LinkedIn.
25. Add your SVdP Madison volunteer experience to your LinkedIn profile.
26. Subscribe to our YouTube page.
27. Share how SVdP Madison has impacted your life and tag @svdpmadison.
28. Follow @vinnysdanecounty on Facebook.
29. Follow @vinnysdanecounty on Instagram.
30. Post a throwback photo with your favorite St. Vinny’s find.
31. Post a video of your St. Vinny’s Thrift Store haul and tag @vinnysdanecounty.
32. Take a photo at your favorite St. Vinny’s Thrift Store and tag @vinnysdanecounty.
Make a Financial Gift
33. Make a one-time donation.
34. Become a Sustaining Samaritan monthly donor.
35. Give in honor of someone’s birthday or anniversary.
36. Leave a legacy gift in your will.
37. See if you can double your donation with employer matching.
38. Give in memory or honor of a loved one.
39. Allocate part of your RMD (if 70½+) to SVdP Madison.
40. Start a workplace giving campaign.
41. Include SVdP Madison in your corporate giving program.
42. Learn about the many ways to give like donor-advised funds, estate plan gifts, and more.
43. Share why you give to the SVdP Madison and ask 10 friends to donate.
Volunteer
44. Set a goal for how many hours you will volunteer and make a plan to achieve it.
45. Volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.
46. Volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy.
47. Volunteer at Lacy Garden.
48. Volunteer at Vinny’s Lockers.
49. Invite a co-worker, neighbor, family member, or friend to volunteer with you!
50. Take photos of your time volunteering at SVdP Madison.
51. Write thank-you notes to SVdP Madison volunteers.
52. Coordinate a volunteer group from your workplace, social group, or church.
Pray
53. Join a Vincentian Conference.
54. Pray for our neighbors in need.
55. Offer Mass intentions for the Society and the families we serve.
56. Start or join a prayer circle.
57. Say a Rosary for anyone struggling in Dane County.
58. Learn about St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the patron of our housing program.
59. Live out our Vincentian virtues.
60. Support the local Society of St. Vincent de Paul at your parish.
Shop
61. Visit a St. Vinny’s Thrift Store you’ve never been to before.
62. Bring a friend or family member thrift shopping.
63. Shop St. Vinny’s Online Store.
64. Become a VIP shopper.
65. “Round Up” your purchase total to support our charitable programs.
66. Visit all seven St. Vinny’s Thrift Stores in Dane County.
67. Get a new mattress at St. Vinny’s Thrift Stores.
68. Bookmark our events page to be the first to know upcoming store events.
69. Check out the accepted donation items list.
70. Shop for your Halloween costume at St. Vinny’s Thrift Stores.
71. View the impact of your Round Up support.
71. Buy a St. Vinny’s gift card for a loved one.
73. Visit Dig & Save Outlet Store for the *most* unique thrift shopping experience.
74. Learn about our recycling efforts.
Donate Goods
75. Donate gently used clothing, furniture, and home goods.
76. Schedule a free home pickup.
77. Host a donation drive in your neighborhood.
78. Clean out your closet and donate seasonal items.
79. Ask friends and family to donate to SVdP Madison instead of giving gifts.
80. Set a monthly donation goal, like one bag of clothing each month.
81. Organize a donation drive at your workplace.
82. Donate your garage sale leftovers.
83. Use your move as a reason to declutter and donate.
84. Make a thrift store donation as part of your spring cleaning.
85. Encourage your faith community to organize a donation day.
86. Donate produce from your garden to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.
87. Donate new and gently-used bedding, blankets and sheets during the Recycle the Warmth Blanket Drive in January.
88. Donate your vehicle.
Build Awareness
89. Wear your SVdP Madison apparel to the store, to the gym, or running errands.
90. Tell someone about SVdP Madison’s charitable programs.
91. View our 2024 Impact Report.
92. Examine the food pantry use by month.
93. Talk to family, friends, and your network about why you love SVdP Madison.
94. Write a letter to the editor about what SVdP Madison means to you.
95. Leave a positive review of SVdP Madison or any St. Vinny’s Thrift Store on Google.
96. Check out SVdP Madison’s latest news stories.
97. Write a short article about SVdP Madison in your church or neighborhood newsletter.
98. Watch and share the “Together We Are SVdP Madison” video.
99. Invite SVdP Madison to speak during your staff meetings.
100. Talk with friends, family and your network about your experience with SVdP Madison.
Dear friend,
Please meet James*. He’s a devoted dad to an active toddler, Matthew. Like so many struggling families, he anxiously walks a financial tightrope each month.
When James’ car suddenly needed new brakes, his tightrope nearly snapped. He had no extra money to pay for repairs, and without a working car, he risked missing work… and missing rent.
I’ll share more about James and Matthew soon. But first, I want you to know the amazing opportunity you have to prevent family homelessness. You can support neighbors needing help this season and be part of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Madison’s second century of service.
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Donate to Prevent Family Homelessness
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Today, so many people are struggling to make ends meet. Dane County rents continue to increase at much higher rates than incomes. Rising food costs burden families who are already stretched thin. The struggle to afford rent and pay housing expenses is the biggest financial burden on our neighbors—and the biggest reason your help is needed right now.
With summer break coming soon, many kids will miss out on school lunches. I want them to have nutritious meals throughout the summer to fuel their growing minds and bodies.
Your gift to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Madison buys produce, meat, dairy items, and personal care supplies. With you, adults get food to make dinner and kids get the nutrition they need to grow. Without you, families suffer and are hungry.
Just $120 provides one 75-lb. order of food to one family. That’s two weeks’ worth of groceries made possible by accessing free and reduced-cost food and using bulk and wholesale vendors.
James and his son, Matthew. When James’ car suddenly needed new brakes, his financial tightrope nearly snapped. Your generosity will feed his family from the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry today!
Back to James’ story… He works full-time processing claims for an insurance company and sees promising opportunities for advancement. He feels fortunate to live in “affordable” housing, but he still pays more than 50% of his income on rent. He struggles to keep his car running, pay utilities, and afford Matthew’s childcare costs. He walks an unstable financial tightrope each month.
Your generosity will feed his family. When he visits the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry for groceries, the money he saves goes to other necessary expenses. With this help, he can pay his bills and not worry about falling behind on rent. Plus, he gets diapers and wipes from the pantry – items not covered by SNAP (government food assistance). That’s why he’s so grateful for you.
Your gift today will help with James and Matthew’s hunger and housing worries. Just $120 from you will bring help today and hope for tomorrow. Any amount is meaningful because joined together, generosity creates a network of care.
Will you be there for James and Matthew this spring? Look at the amazing good you can do…
- Your gift will fuel growing children with healthy food including, meat, produce, pantry staples, milk, and cheese.
- Your gift will break down barriers by delivering food to homebound, elderly, and disabled neighbors who can’t reach our pantry.
- Your gift will nourish dialysis patients with special diets and constraints on their time and energy.
Volunteers prepare to bring food outside to cars waiting in the drive-through pantry. When neighbors like James visit the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry for groceries, the money they save goes to other necessary expenses – mainly rent, utilities, and childcare.
Your care guarantees our neighbors won’t be hungry because they can get food from the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Your care means that our neighbors can pay for unexpected expenses and the rent – and not fall into homelessness.
I hope you’ll join us in helping our neighbors in need, like James and Matthew. Your donation today will be working tomorrow because with you… lives change.
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Donate to Prevent Family Homelessness
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James is a young father with a drive to succeed and the tenacity to push through hard times. Because of you, he will make ends meet. He is so grateful for your help. On behalf of the generations of neighbors who’ve come before us, I thank you for your generosity during St. Vincent de Paul — Madison’s first century of service.
Will you give a meaningful gift to support the families needing our help this year and to launch our second century of service? I know you care about vulnerable families, and I’m honored that you’ve chosen St. Vincent de Paul — Madison as a partner for this important work.
You can be the strength that alleviates suffering for James and other families relying on the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Please donate now: /donate/.
In gratitude for you,
Julie Bennett
CEO & Executive Director
Please rush your gift before May 20th so every family needing food can get help. Your support this season will help launch St. Vincent de Paul — Madison’s second century of service!
Transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing is a fragile time for single adult families with many pitfalls that threaten to topple them backwards. That’s why St. Vincent de Paul — Madison created the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Program. With your compassion and intensive staff support, these resilient families receive the help they need to persevere through tough times and chart a path to a more stable future for themselves and their children. Social Services Director, Katy Polich, LCSW, shares three ways you’re changing lives through this program.
1. Keeping Families In Their Homes
Housing instability in Dane County has worsened as key rental assistance programs, like Tenant Resource Center’s Eviction Prevention Program, are at risk of closure due to funding shortages. However, your support of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Program is a port in the storm for fragile families. Your care provides rent assistance and case management, helping struggling families stay in their homes during a time when affordable housing in our community is increasingly scarce.
Marisol and her daughter Gianna. The person-to-person help you make possible gives her confidence that she’s not alone and guidance as she overcomes challenges.
2. Tackling Transportation Barriers
After housing, transportation is the second most pressing challenge for families in the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Program. Public transportation is often not an option for single parents due to working late-night hours and having to coordinate work, school and childcare hours. While Madison Metro’s new routes have helped several families, they still face challenges getting to daily appointments and errands. Many families don’t make enough money to purchase a reliable vehicle. And others, like Marisol, don’t have a driver’s license.
Marisol tried hard to make sure her high school daughter, Gianna, was able to get to and from soccer practices. But without a car, she relied on costly Uber rides, and her difficulty in obtaining a driver’s license compounded the problem. With Katy’s assistance, she practiced for her written driver’s test—coming very close to passing— and received Uber gift cards and equipment support from a local foundation to help cover transportation and soccer costs. She’s now working to secure her license and get reliable transportation. The personto- person help you make possible gives her confidence that she’s not alone and guidance as she overcomes challenges.
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Donate to Help Struggling Families
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3. Expanded Referral Network Helps More Families
Last fall, the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Program moved into a new space atop the St. Vinny’s Willy Street Thrift Store thanks to generous supporters. The location helps Social Services Director Katy Polich, LCSW deepen local connections, leading to more referrals from school social workers, St. Vincent de Paul conferences, and wordof- mouth from past participants. The program is expanding its resource network and welcoming additional families in need.
Social Services Suite Grand Reopening, October 1st, 2024. Visitors learn about upcoming programming made possible with the new space
Dave is pantry volunteer, helped launch the microlending program and is an active member on the Centennial Advisory Committee. He shares some lessons about his time as a volunteer.
1. How did you first get involved with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul?
I got involved with the Society at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis and became a member in 1992. The conference did a lot of emergency relief-type work. During my time, the Basilica launched Immigrant Support Ministry to help refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in conjunction with Lutheran Social Services. This type of work was all very new to me and outside of my comfort zone, but I was pleasantly surprised at how many people in the parish had knowledge and resources to help immigrants. When I moved to Madison, I reached out to the local Society and got connected with a few different volunteer opportunities.
2. What do you do as a volunteer?
I was involved in the early planning for the microlending program. I now enter data for the food pantry like the number of households served or what food’s being provided. It’s all important data tracking pantry usage so staff can best serve neighbors’ needs. I’m also a part of the Advisory Council steering the Centennial promotion and welcoming people to get involved.
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Become a Volunteer!
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3. What would you like everyone to know about St. Vincent de Paul — Madison?
The depth of services and deep knowledge of staff and volunteers. Every once in a while a new name will appear while I’m entering data. I’ll ask other volunteers about this neighbor and they’ll say, “Oh, yeah. I know them. I know their kids.” It’s a very personable type of service, a tight-knit community. Entering data is more than just punching in names. You see the number of people being helped, recognizing that each name is a real person with a real story. You think about how this neighbor got into a situation where they need help and how they’re going to get out of it. That’s where St. Vincent de Paul — Madison comes in.
4. What sustains your involvement?
Putting yourself in the service of others is a big deal. Creating relationships and connecting with other people brings me back!
Join the volunteer team! Visit this webpage or contact Jenni Troia, Associate Director of Client Services, at (608) 442-7200 x42 or jtroia@svdpmadison.org.
Dear friends,
A couple of months ago, I invited you to share why the Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Madison is important to you. So many of you blessed me with responses that touched my heart and left me grateful once again for you and this ministry.
Here’s what you said:
- You trust St. Vincent de Paul — Madison to turn your donations into hope and real help for neighbors in need.
- You want your generosity to benefit local families in Dane County.
- Your giving puts faith into action and promotes social justice.
- Many of you have a personal connection with the Society, whether through family members who served or because you once received help yourselves.
Learning why you’re passionate about helping our neighbors gives me hope. While our ability to influence change at the national level is small, our ability to make life better for someone in Dane County is profound.
During this season of Lent, my Catholic faith invites me deeper into the spiritual practices of fasting, almsgiving and prayer. My plan is to give up a daily indulgence, to act more generously, and to pray intentionally for a more just world. I will continue to pray for you.
With rising rent costs, increased competition for affordable housing, high prices and uncertainty around social safety nets, more of our neighbors need help every day. Will you join me in making life better for struggling local families? Your generous gift will provide food, medicine, and relief to those in need.
Julie Bennett
CEO & Executive Director
As 2024 comes to a close, here are the top 5 best stories that resonated most with St. Vincent de Paul — Madison supporters this year. These stories celebrated the inspiring legacy of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and shared the excitement of St. Vinny’s Willy Street Grand Reopening. They highlighted the benefits of volunteering, shared some of the recycling efforts at the Processing Center, and unveiled the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. Here are the top 5 best stories that captured the heart of what makes St. Vincent de Paul — Madison special, quality programming for neighbors in need and fabulous thrift shopping for all.
#5 / 2024-2027 Strategic Plan
Kicking off the top 5 list is the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. St. Vincent de Paul — Madison will focus on three key goals over the next three years: improving service delivery, reigniting Vincentian values, and cultivating an equitable community. These efforts aim to enhance communication and accessibility, inspire exceptional neighbor services rooted in faith, and foster a sense of belonging for all involved in the organization’s mission. Guided by simplicity, humility, gentleness, selflessness, and zeal, St. Vincent de Paul — Madison remains committed to responding to neighbors’ changing needs while embodying its core values in every aspect of its work.
#4 / Recycling Efforts at SVdP Processing Center
#3 / 9 Benefits of Volunteering
#2 / St. Vinny’s Willy St Grand Reopening
#1 / Celebrating St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Life and Legacy, January 4th
The most popular story of 2024 celebrated the life and legacy of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton! She was a widow, mother, and Catholic convert, who overcame immense personal loss to establish the first U.S. parochial school for girls and co-founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, inspired by St. Vincent de Paul. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Madison honors her legacy through the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Program which provides personalized support to single adult families transitioning from homelessness to stability.
Leo tried to comfort his young daughter Ana as she wailed with pain in the urgent care exam room. He worried she had another ear infection and that he’d have to take several days off work to care for her. Missed work would mean the family would be short on rent and short on money to pay for groceries – a scary reality heading into the coldest time of the year.
More of Leo’s story is below. But first, see how you can be an ally for people struggling to afford food, like him.
Provide healthy and nutritious food to our neighbors with a year-end donation this December. You’ll alleviate their hunger and decrease their stress.
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Donate to Feed Hungry Families
All gifts made by December 31st will be doubled. $1 becomes $2 for hungry families.
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Leo and Ana
With you, families are fed
More and more people are turning to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry for help. About 3,170 families got fresh produce, meat, dairy and pantry staples each month this year; a 16% increase from last year. Why this increase? Working families, like Leo’s, struggle to pay their bills and pay for food – especially if lost work hours means lost income. Many jobs don’t come with paid sick days, leaving already fragile families in desperate situations.
It currently costs the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry about $115 to pack a normal order of 75 lbs. of food. That’s about two weeks of food for one family!
Your year-end donation to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Madison buys quality pantry staples, fresh produce, dairy products and meat. You’ll provide families with hams and turkeys, gravy and potatoes, veggies and mac-and-cheese; all of the fixings for a good holiday meal.
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Donate to Feed Hungry Families
All gifts made by December 31st will be doubled. $1 becomes $2 for hungry families.
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You stepped in to help Leo
Ana is Leo’s youngest daughter; Bianca is his oldest. His daughters are everything to him and he loves being their dad, but he struggles to pay for everything that they need to grow healthy and strong. While his wife Estefany works as a CNA, Leo does both landscaping and is an Uber driver. They feel blessed to both have steady jobs, but often their income just doesn’t cover all of their bills.
Ana did have an ear infection that day in urgent care. It pained Leo to see her hurting and he had to take a few days off of work to care for her. Just as he worried, this loss of income and urgent care cost wrecked his budget for the month. His biggest priority was paying for rent, but he didn’t know how he would pay for groceries.
That’s when you stepped in to help. Your compassion provided Leo’s family with food from the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.
Thanks to you, Leo also picked up diapers and wipes. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, diaper prices have surged by 48% costing more than $70 per month per child. You relieved his burden just a bit more.
Leo, Ana, Bianca and Estefany
Relief from hunger and stress
If you ask Leo what’s the biggest obstacle on his mind, he will tell you – hunger and stress.
Your year-end donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry will relieve both! Just $115 from you will calm Leo and his family’s hunger – filling them with care and support knowing they are not alone. Your gift will alleviate the stress of balancing a small budget while providing for the family. Your gift can also prevent Leo’s family from falling into homelessness. Because of your compassion, Leo can get food, freeing up money to make sure the rent is paid and the heat stays on.
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Donate to Feed Hungry Families
All gifts made by December 31st will be doubled. $1 becomes $2 for hungry families.
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Caring people like you are the reason none of the 31,703 people who visited the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry so far this year were turned away. You’re the reason families rely on our pantry for food – whether they pick it up in-person, order it online, or receive it delivered to their home.
Leo needs you during this season of his life. He works hard to provide for his family and pay the bills. He looks forward to the day when he can take Ana and Bianca to the grocery store to pick out what food she wants. But for now, he knows he can rely on the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry when he needs it. It’s a place to come where he isn’t judged, his dignity’s respected and he knows he can get quality food.
Answer the call to help our neighbors in need. You can feed Leo’s family today. Make your year-end donation now.
Did you know that you can support our neighbors in need through your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) with a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?
What’s a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?
A QCD is a distribution of funds from your IRA directly to a qualified charitable organization, such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Madison. An IRA offers a tax-advantaged way to save money over many years and have an income stream in retirement.
QCDs are available to individuals aged 70½ or older who have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Many individuals chose to make QCDs to support their neighbors in need through St. Vincent de Paul — Madison because they are required to take money from their IRA, but do not need all of it for personal living expenses. Gifts through QCDs go directly to your chosen charity without passing through your hands. The dollar amount of the gift may be excluded from your taxable income and you don’t owe any taxes on the QCD, even if you don’t itemize deductions.
Some donors may also find that QCDs provide greater tax savings than cash donations. Your Qualified Charitable Distribution must be made directly from your IRA custodian to St. Vincent de Paul — Madison on your behalf. Each financial institution has its own process for initiating a qualified charitable distribution. As always, please consult your investment advisor.
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Have QCD Questions?
Contact Eric Fleming, Director of Development, if you’d like to explore QCDs as a giving option.
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Why are QCDs So Popular?
Qualified Charitable Distributions are popular for donors because they offer significant tax benefits, including:
1. Tax-free Distributions
- QCDs are not considered taxable income, which means the funds you donate directly to a qualified charity won’t increase your adjusted gross income (AGI). This can lower your overall taxable income, which is particularly advantageous for retirees who are mindful of managing their tax liability.
2. Meeting RMD Requirements
- For individuals aged 73 and older, required minimum distributions (RMDs) must be taken annually from retirement accounts. QCDs count toward satisfying your RMD, allowing you to fulfill your obligation while supporting causes that matter to you. This makes QCDs an effective strategy for meeting mandatory requirements while avoiding a tax hit.
3. No Processing Fees
- Unlike some other forms of charitable giving, QCDs are typically free to process. Most IRA custodians don’t charge fees for sending a QCD, though you may need to cover the cost of mailing a check. This means more of your funds go directly to supporting the charity’s mission.
4. No Itemization Necessary
- With recent changes to tax laws, many taxpayers now take the higher standard deduction instead of itemizing deductions. QCDs don’t require itemization, which means you can still benefit from giving charitably even if you don’t itemize on your tax return.
5. Avoiding Higher Tax Brackets
- By lowering your AGI, QCDs can help you avoid being pushed into a higher tax bracket. This is especially important for those who are on the cusp of moving into a higher tax tier due to RMDs or other sources of income.
6. Preventing Phaseouts
- A lower AGI can also help prevent the phaseout of other tax benefits, such as deductions or credits that are subject to income limits. For example, QCDs might help you retain eligibility for certain medical deductions or avoid penalties on Medicare premiums.
How to QCD?
To make a Qualified Charitable Distribution, your IRA custodian must send the funds directly to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Madison on your behalf. Each financial institution has its own process for initiating a qualified charitable distribution.
Contact Eric Fleming, Director of Development, if you’d like to explore QCDs as a giving option.
Learn More
For more details, this article from Madison Community Foundation offers a good breakdown of Qualified Charitable Distributions, the benefits, and guidance to determine if they’re a good option for you. It may be helpful for you and your investment advisor: https://www.madisongives.org/advisors/advisor-blog/educating-clients-on-qcds.
Also, check out St. Vincent de Paul — Madison’s webinar, “Charitable Giving: 5 Beneficial Ways to Support the Charities You Love”: https://www.youtube.com/live/9syRrABV2rI?si=5WeF7fHIiPe-Z341&t=277.
Lisa’s been coming to the St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy for several years. She says, “it’s truly been a God-send.”
She found out about the pharmacy after visiting the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry regularly. When she realized she couldn’t afford her medications anymore, she wondered if she qualified for help. At the time, she barely had any income, and was struggling with serious health issues. Thankfully, Lisa qualified for service, and has been relying on the pharmacy for her medicine ever since.
“The pharmacy has been incredible,” Lisa said. “I’ve been through a lot. A lot of bad health and almost dying. They seriously brought me back! Now, I’m working only two days a week and fighting to get disability benefits, which has been a rough road. I simply can’t afford the medications I need, but the pharmacy always steps in. Whenever I have a question about my medicine, they’re there to help. They know exactly what I’m going through.”
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Donate to Help Patients Heal
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Respected at a Place that Treats Her Like Family
Lisa’s thankful for the pharmacy staff and volunteers because she says they treat her like family.
“The staff here is amazing,” Lisa said. “They’re never rushed and they genuinely care about me and my story. I’ve been to other places where they rush you through without really talking. But here, it’s different. These folks know my whole life, and every time I come in, it feels like I’m visiting with family. They stand and talk with me, and I never feel like I’m just a number.”
Lisa’s partner also relies on the pharmacy for his medications. Lisa says he wouldn’t be alive without their help as some of his medicines costs $500 a month. She simply cannot afford that.
“It’s been a blessing beyond words, Lisa said. “This place is a gift to the community, and I wish there were more like it because too many people are dying just because they can’t afford their medicine.”
You saved Lisa’s life. Because of you, she’s maintaining her health through medicine and personal care.
If you have questions about the pharmacy, are interested in scheduling a tour, or want to donate, contact Eric Fleming, Director of Development, (608) 442-7200 x34 or efleming@svdpmadison.org.
Dear friends,
Several weeks ago, I came across a quote that I continue to think about, “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”*
What we do throughout our lives – our works – matters.
As we enter into the Thanksgiving season, I give thanks for you. Thank you for your generosity, your care, your thoughtfulness, and your faithfulness. What a comfort to know that what you’ve done and continue to do for our neighbors in need “remains and is immortal.” What you do matters – a lot.
We live in a time where a growing number of families are struggling everyday to make ends meet. They must make hard choices between paying their rent or a car repair, utilities or food, gas or prescriptions.
This Thanksgiving season, 108 more hungry families visited the pantry in September compared with last year. A monthly total of nearly 3,038 families. Thanks to you, no one has been turned away.
Because of your support through food, neighbors can afford to pay their rent and utilities. Because of your support through medicine, neighbors can pay for needed car repairs. How? Your support of St. Vincent de Paul — Madison feeds people, provides medication, and provides low-interest loans preventing families from falling into homelessness.
With you, families have dignity to go about their day, peace of mind, and hope for a brighter tomorrow. What you do matters.
During this season of thanksgiving, will you provide help to our neighbors in need?
Blessings to you and yours,
In gratitude for you,
Julie Bennett
CEO & Executive Director
*Albert Pine, writer