#3 / 9 Benefits of Volunteering
#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
Cheryl’s life was upended in an instant. A car accident this spring left her with a broken kneecap, confined to a brace from hip to ankle. The injury meant she couldn’t work and struggled to get basic essentials for herself and her son, Eli.
“I panicked,” Cheryl said. “It was just so difficult to get around with my knee. I had no idea how we were going to make it.”
She faced a scary reality. Without short-term disability insurance and having used up all of her paid time off, she was running out of options. The only silver lining was that her employer was holding her job until she could return—but the bills continued to pile up.
Without a steady income, Cheryl’s biggest fear wasn’t her physical pain but the possibility of losing her apartment. She hadn’t been a tenant in the apartment complex long; only a few months after escaping an unsafe domestic abuse situation. The apartment was finally a stable place where she and Eli could live. When the accident forced her away from work, she was worried. She started researching for local help online and left a voicemail at the St. Vincent de Paul Service Center and several other organizations. St. Vincent de Paul — Madison staff were the first to call her back. That’s when you stepped in to provide her a lifeline.

“At first, I didn’t know where to turn,” Cheryl said. “But the volunteers came at the perfect time. I don’t know what we would have done without that help.”
You Gave Her Stability
Two conference members from a parish on Madison’s south side visited Cheryl a few days after she contacted the St. Vincent de Paul Service Center. They saw her brace and her struggles firsthand, and after talking with her, asked how they could help. The conference worked together to help cover her rent, ensuring that Cheryl and her son wouldn’t lose their home.
“At first, I didn’t know where to turn,” Cheryl said. “But the volunteers came at the perfect time. I don’t know what we would have done without that help. The rent was the big thing worrying me. I was able to budget alright in the months before, but then I was out of work and it sent me back a lot.”
Thanks to you, Cheryl not only kept her home but was also able to focus on her recovery. She even received food from the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.
“I didn’t even think to ask for help with food,” Chery said. “I just thought we would have to make it work. But then the volunteers said they have a food pantry and I could sign up to get groceries delivered. I was amazed. That was such a blessing.”
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Donate to Give Neighbors Food
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Today, Cheryl is back on her feet—literally—and back at work, reclaiming her sense of stability and security. She’s not just surviving; she’s rebuilding her life.
Your support through St. Vincent de Paul — Madison made all the difference in this unexpected chapter of Cheryl’s life. By helping to pay her rent and providing food, you gave her peace of mind and the breathing room to recover physically and emotionally.
A Future of Hope
Cheryl’s story is just one of many stories of your kindness and your generosity in action. The support you provide through food, medicine, clothing and furniture impacts neighbors in need across Dane County. The support you provide through microloans and case management will impact neighbors in need for generations. When our neighbors face long term or one-time challenges, like Cheryl, you’re there to provide help without judgment.
Because of you, Cheryl can now focus on what truly matters: raising Eli and rebuilding her life with renewed strength and resiliency.

Cheryl, “The volunteers said they have a food pantry and I could sign up to get groceries delivered. I was amazed. That was such a blessing.”
Ella and David worked hard all of their lives; Ella self-employed as a hairdresser and David as a printmaker.
David always carried the health insurance that Ella relied on to get medicine for her diabetes and thyroid disease. When both she and David lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, they lost this coverage. But Ella couldn’t go without her medicines. She needed them to survive.
David and Ella are two of the estimated 20,000 Dane County neighbors without health insurance due to job loss, divorce, or inability to afford coverage. When our neighbors, like Ella, don’t have health insurance they are more likely to stop taking their prescriptions. This causes their health to suffer and their worries to increase.
A Prescription for Hope
When Ella lost her health insurance, she couldn’t afford to see her doctor or access her prescriptions.
“I went two and a half months without medicine,” Ella said. “My hair was falling out and I lost 30 pounds. Friends and family told me I looked dreadful.”
Ella called a social worker who referred her to the St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy. Once there, pharmacy staff connected her with Our Lady of Hope Free Clinic where she met with a doctor to reestablish care.
Thanks to you, Ella is back on her routine prescriptions and feeling much better. She worries less about her health and feels secure knowing there are people she can turn to for help. She’s grateful for the care provided by pharmacy staff and volunteers.
“You couldn’t ask for nicer people” Ella said. “They have been a blessing, a God-send. Every single person is so friendly.”
Your gift today can provide lifesaving medicines at no cost to patients like Ella and bring immediate help and long-term security to struggling neighbors.
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Donate to Help Uninsured Patients
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Access to medication is the first step to healing – physical, mental, and emotional – for people without insurance. You relieve their stress, give them peace of mind, and help them regain their dignity and their health. With your help, they are healthy enough to hold down a job and care for their families.
Ella is strong and resilient. One unfortunate event beyond her control severely threatened her health. Thanks to you, she is more stable and on the road to better health. She worries less because she knows she can count on you and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Madison.
Mural for St. Vincent de Paul Social Services Building
This beautiful mural now hangs in the lobby of the new St. Vincent de Paul Social Services Building! Above St. Vinny’s Willy St. at the intersection of Williamson and Baldwin Streets in Madison, the mural will welcome people into the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Microlending program spaces.
A huge round of applause goes to Eva Pratt, St. Vinny’s Verona Assistant Store Manager, for creating this art! Additional thanks to Deborah Goedel, St. Vinny’s Verona Store Manager and Leighla Baney, St. Vinny’s Waunakee Assistant Store Manager, for their design collaboration.
The mural showcases and highlights the connection between our thrift stores and charitable programs across Dane County. Two more panels will be installed beneath the stairs. While four separate pieces of artwork, each panel flows together. When asked about the inspiration, Eva said…
“The ideas were all of ours, we collaborated. We thought about the services that we, Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Madison, offer and talked about the history of our first thrift store on Williamson Street. It was interesting doing research on the store to understand our history. We went with a somewhat 1950s vibe with that section. I knew the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Program was going to be upstairs in this building, so I thought that it would be a really nice visual of the mother and children walking up to people helping them. We did some preliminary sketches, looked it over all together, and came to agreement on what looked good. After that, I went for a cleaner sketch and designed the final artwork.”
A few weeks ago, we said goodbye to Arina V. who has been interning at the St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy all summer! She shared about her experience here:
❓How long have you been with the pharmacy and what have you done?
I’ve been here since June and have helped fill prescriptions, have met new clients and have translated for patients and staff. I really enjoy this community! It was very welcoming. I’ve enjoyed meeting pharmacy students and undergraduates from University of Wisconsin-Madison; just connecting with people who work in a similar field that I want to pursue as a career.
❓What brought you to the pharmacy?
I was hired by this nonprofit called Maydm and they have a mission to support minorities and women by allowing the youth to explore STEM careers. Internships are one of the ways that they allow us to do this! I’ve wanted to learn more about pharmacies for a very long time and this has been very cool.
❓What’s one thing that sticks out from your time here?
The first day I was here, I helped a Spanish-speaking client which was very rewarding. For me, it felt important because my work was needed and I felt appreciated. It’s been rewarding to help people who need it especially with a language barrier. I have parents who immigrated here, so I understand the barriers.
Thank you, Arina, for your work in the pharmacy these past few months!
Want to help patients get the medications they need?
Become a Pharmacy Volunteeer
Karen
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
Bob
St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy
Lydia
St. Vincent de Paul Young Adult Service
I became aware of volunteering with St. Vincent de Paul through the Madison-area Catholic young adult community. At the time, it was the only consistent volunteer opportunity that I saw advertised, which allowed me to make it routine. It is a perfect match for my career in agriculture, and packing boxes and stocking shelves at the pantry is a great complement to working in front of a computer. Volunteering has been part of my life since my childhood 4-H days. From these days I have an ingrained sense that “volunteering is just what one is supposed to do,” but it has also become a much more conscious decision as I have learned about the two feet of love in action. Volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul is one of the ways I put the charity foot in motion. We all have seasons and aspects where we need to be served. There is also value to share in serving others. This is one way I choose to serve!
Become a Volunteer!
Your care can do good. Help your neighbors in need every day by volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry or Charitable Pharmacy.