St Vincent de Paul Society Uniontown Area Conference

The foundation of svdp's mission is the philosophy of being a visible presence for the poor. In any given year, fayette county Pennsylvania ranks in the top two rural counties as far as poverty. Therefore, accomplishing our mission is vital to the community. As such, svdp depends on dedicated volunteers and public donations. Active volunteers operate our stores while former volunteers, those no longer active because of advanced age, illness, or relocation, offer prayers and financial support to help keep our operations sustainable. Because of committed volunteers, svdp can maintain low prices, assisting needy families to be as self-sufficient as possible. Typically, our prices are, on average, 75% less than neighboring thrift and furniture stores. For example, one can purchase a complete set of clothing including undergarments, pants, shirt, and shoes for less than 5.00. For a few additional dollars, an individual can be properly attired for cold weather. For those that have been the unfortunate victims of devastating circumstances such as fire and natural disasters, svdp provides clothing, household good and other necessities at no cost. Community donations enable svdp to generate funds to support our charitable mission. Unsalable clothing items are packed and distributed to the poor throughout the nation and world. Volunteers disassemble broken household items, and the like, to their basic metal components. The recyclable metal is then sold. The funds are utilized to support direct aid to the poor. Additionally, the disassembling process results in less materials going to the landfill thus helping to preserve our environment. Direct aid to the poor is available on a daily basis by means of our on- campus assistance program. Assistance includes, but is not limited to, avoiding termination of utilities, reestablishing a family after a fire, helping with costs associated with a burial, auto repairs, medicine, temporary emergency shelter, and educational scholarships. Once the need of the client is validated, volunteers work diligently to provide the necessary assistance in a timely manner. Informal agreements have been established with community businesses to accept svdp pledges as payment for services such as those described above. Once an invoice is received from the business, svdp remits payment on behalf of the client. Partnerships with other nonprofit organizations such as fayette county community action association and catholic charities provide an additional means by clients can receive referrals, further support, and services outside of the realm of svdp Uniontown Conference. Svdp also operates an emergency food pantry. Unlike other food pantries, the svdp food pantry does not receive government surplus food or funding. On a daily basis, volunteers rescue perishable food from local grocery and convenience stores. The rescued food that is nearing its expiration date would otherwise be disposed of. Instead, the excess food is distributed to our clients, volunteers and customers. The waste is minimal. Svdp also partners with local grocery stores as part of the feeding america program. Svdp is also a distribution site for fayette county community action association food bank. Client assistance, emergency food pantry, and food recovery are just a few examples of ways in which individuals can the volunteer at svdp. From sewing lap quilts for sick children and crosses for nursing home residents to teaching computer and phone skills to the technologically challenged, volunteer opportunities at svdp are as varied as the volunteers themselves are. One particular group, hear fayette, provides a unique volunteer opportunity for individuals with hearing disabilities. In addition to providing a community of support for those with hearing loss, hear fayette host sign language classes and practice sessions, speaks to health/ human service personnel and community groups about hearing loss, and provides information, applications and batteries for hearing aids. Weekly, domestic violence services of southwestern Pennsylvania uses svdp as a donation drop-off location for those who wish to donate clothing and other good to assist the women living in the shelter. This is done because the community is aware of the location of svdp and more importantly the need to keep the location of the shelter secret. Svdp also supports other shelters including Uniontown homeless shelters and fayette friends of animals.