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
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.
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.
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.
Ella and David
St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy
“Now I feel confident and know what to expect.”
Dennis has diabetes and takes medication daily to manage his blood sugar. Several years ago, his doctor prescribed insulin as his condition was worsening. At that time, Connie, his wife and caretaker, worried about where they would be able to afford the new medicine and how she would help her husband. Unfortunately, Dennis didn’t have prescription drug insurance. But, going without insulin wasn’t an option. Connie says she has no idea what they would have done if not for the St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy.
“The pharmacy has made an inconvenient and intrusive diagnosis so much easier,” Connie said. “When Dennis first started on insulin I was worried about knowing how to care for him, but now I feel so confident and understand what to expect.”
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Donate to Help Uninsured Patients
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Help is only a phone call away
Connie commends the pharmacy staff for teaching her how to care for her husband through his diagnosis. The personal relationships she has formed with staff means help is only a phone call away.
Due to Connie’s own physical limitations and without a reliable car, transportation is extremely difficult for the couple. Since the pharmacy currently offers free Uber rides to patients, they’re able to get Dennis’ lifesaving prescriptions, see a pharmacist in-person and talk through any questions or concerns.
Because of you, Dennis and Connie have help and hope to thrive.
Donate to the St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy today.
Dennis
Kate was afraid this would happen. Last month, her ex-boyfriend came to pick up their daughter Lily for a visit when they got into an argument. A neighbor called the police. Now, her landlord won’t renew her lease.
When things got really tough before her break-up, Kate and Lily moved in with her sister’s family, then to a hotel. When she finally found an apartment near Lily’s school, she signed the lease even though it stretched her budget. Rent takes half of her paycheck now, leaving little money for utilities, gas, child care, food, and everything else. There is nothing left for an unexpected expense.
Kate has been through a lot of hard times in her life. She’s resourceful and resilient. Yet she can’t do it on her own. She needs help today, and sustained support to build a better tomorrow.
Worrying about the future but holding on to hope
Kate’s apartment has beds and some kitchen supplies, but not much else. Last month, someone hit her car while she was in the grocery store, dented the driver’s door, and broke off her side mirror. She does not have the money to repair it.
The family’s struggles go deeper than just material needs. Lily’s always been an eager student but lately, she’s had trouble getting up in the morning and clings to her mom when dropped off at school. Depression and stomach problems sometimes force Kate to call in sick to work. Because her job doesn’t include paid time off, her income is even less. Recently she missed a week of work and started to fall behind in rent. She worries about her and Lily’s future. But, she still has hope.
A school social worker connected Kate to St. Vincent de Paul — Madison for immediate needs of food, clothing, and furniture. She encouraged her to check out the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Program for single adults raising children.
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Donate to Help Prevent Family Homelessness
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Working towards being better parent and landing a better job
Thanks to you, Kate worries a bit less. She looks forward to working with her Seton Program case manager and getting counseling help for her and Lily. Her goals are to be a better parent and land a better job. With your help, they will stay stable and safe in their home.
You’ve significantly reduced the odds that Kate and Lily will become homeless. You’ve greatly increased the chance that Kate and Lily will heal from their trauma and Lily will do better in school. What’s even more amazing? Your help now offers life-changing long-term help for Kate and Lily:
- You prevent them from creating debt that hurts their financial foundation.
- You save them from deeper poverty if using super high-interest payday loans is their only option.
- You keep them from becoming homeless.
With your support, scarcity becomes abundance for Kate and Lily, giving them what they need to thrive. Because of you, Lily will have healthy food to grow bright and strong. Kate will have hope and no longer feel alone.
Kate and Lily
Your immediate help offers life-changing long-term help for Ruby’s family.
Ruby was doing okay living on her own in a small apartment until a lung disease diagnosis early this year. She moved in with Lucas, her grandson, and his parents when her limited income couldn’t cover her extra medical bills, medicine, and increased rent.
Her family struggles to pay for their basic expenses even with two full-time jobs. Each month, it’s a juggling act. They pay rent and utilities first, followed by Ruby’s prescriptions, and gas to get to work. Leaving little money left for food.
Their limited diet prevents Ruby from getting well and Lucas from fueling his brain and growing body. Sometimes it’s hard for him to concentrate when they’re reading comics together and he struggles to run for a fly ball at practice. Once in a while, Ruby makes “biscuits” for lunch when there’s only flour and mayonnaise in the cupboard. Lucas thinks it’s a treat, but Ruby knows that this isn’t enough. They are hungry all the time.
Your generosity will turn a few loaves and fish into meat, dairy, and fresh produce for thousands of neighbors in need. Only with you can this miracle happen.
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Donate to Provide Food to Families in Need
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Your immediate help offers life-changing long-term help for Ruby’s family:
- You prevent them from creating debt that hurts their financial foundation.
- You save them from deeper poverty if using super high-interest payday loans is their only option.
- You keep them from becoming homeless.
Like many seniors, Ruby no longer drives. Because of you, she and Lucas can order food online and have it delivered to their door. She feels valued for doing what she can for her family.
With your support, scarcity becomes abundance for Ruby’s family, giving them what they need to thrive. Because of you, Ruby will have healthier foods that improve her health. Lucas will focus on beating Ruby at checkers and running faster for those fly balls. With your help, Ruby can restore her health for many more summers to come with Lucas. She knows she can count on you and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Madison.
Ruby
Volunteers at eighteen St. Vincent de Paul conferences across Dane County help our neighbors in need whenever they ask. They may refer people to our food pantry, provide a listening ear during a hard time or provide financial assistance to a family. Susan* received help when it couldn’t wait.
This past spring, Susan contacted the St. Vincent de Paul conference at St. Christopher Parish in Verona for a gas card. Later, she asked for another gas card, but this time it was urgent. Susan’s sister was in a Chicago hospital and wasn’t doing well. Susan wanted to visit her sister, but didn’t have money to buy gas for her car. A volunteer dropped off the gas card the same day Susan reached out for help. The next morning, the volunteer received a text message from Susan saying her sister had passed away the evening before. Since she had received the gas card so quickly she was able to be with her sister when she passed.
During the past year, you helped Susan and thousands of neighbors like her through tough times. Thank you for your generosity, care and dedication to our neighbors in need.
*Name changed to protect the neighbor’s privacy.