As you may know, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha is instrumental in helping families and individuals from right here in our community stay in their homes. All across the city, volunteer Vincentians meet one-on-one with their neighbors in need. In many ways, the ministerial relationships that are created between Vincentians and their neighbors facing financial hardship truly help in the prevention of homelessness in our community.
What you may not realize, though, is the extent to which the Society [here in Omaha] also provides direct services to those who are currently experiencing homelessness.
In 2018, when Archbishop Lucas asked the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha to continue providing the homeless outreach ministries here at the Holy Family Community Center (after the parish had closed), the SSVP board of directors, without fanfare, replied with a unanimous “yes”. And with that approval, serving the homeless of our Omaha community became a special work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. So, Mondays through Fridays, SSVP staff and volunteers provide clothing to the homeless via our “Closet Door” and serve hundreds of sack lunches to homeless and low-income members of our community, via our Sack Lunch Program.
What you may not realize, though, is the extent to which the Society [here in Omaha] also provides direct services to those who are currently experiencing homelessness.
In 2018, when Archbishop Lucas asked the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha to continue providing the homeless outreach ministries here at the Holy Family Community Center (after the parish had closed), the SSVP board of directors, without fanfare, replied with a unanimous “yes”. And with that approval, serving the homeless of our Omaha community became a special work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. So, Mondays through Fridays, SSVP staff and volunteers provide clothing to the homeless via our “Closet Door” and serve hundreds of sack lunches to homeless and low-income members of our community, via our Sack Lunch Program.
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“But, for the Grace of God go I” is a thought that crosses the minds of so many Vincentian volunteers, as they speak with, and provide friendship and assistance to our neighbors in need. A SSVP volunteer recently shared one such story of a neighbor in need – Connie, pictured – whose life was nearly turned upside down…simply because her car broke down. Connie’s story, while unique to her, is indicative of the small margin of (financial) error that the people we serve live with, as they struggle to provide for their own most basic needs of food, clothing and housing.
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One of the people who has truly benefitted from our organization’s services to the homeless is Robert B. Robert (pictured) is currently staying in the homeless shelter at the Siena Francis House, just down the street from our Holy Family Community Center. Roberts’s story is both heart-breaking and heart-warming, and is intimately intertwined with the Society and the special work that happens here at 1715 Izard Street.
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Jobless & and unable to keep up with her bills, a hopeless Anna Maria – with her infant son, Steven, in tow – humbled herself and asked for help from our SSVP Pantry. Read how pantry volunteer Vincentian, LouAnn, befriended Anna Maria, ensuring she received everything she needed to feed her little family.
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Sleeping in her car for four nights, young mom, Samantha, was exhausted, penniless and homeless. A victim of abuse, Samantha and her 2-year old daughter sought refuge in a grocery store parking lot before finally getting the help they needed from SSVP – including being put on a path to permanent housing.
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Newly homeless and wheelchair-dependent, Barbara didn’t know where to turn after her old, rickety chair finally gave way. Asking for help in finding a replacement, Barbara’s emergency became SSVP pantry manager, Gillian’s priority. Read how Gillian was able to find the perfect wheelchair for Barbara, using a little ingenuity, social media and the compassion of some very caring members of our community.
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Single mom, Renae, was facing terrible financial hardship and had left messages with a number of agencies, before calling the SSVP Help Line. The caring & calming voice of the volunteer Vincentian reassured Renae of the goodness of humanity. Be prepared to feel the same way while reading Renae’s gratitude email, as well as how SSVP volunteers ensured she received the financial resources she so badly needed.
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"The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need."
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Food Pantry
2101 Leavenworth St. | Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00am - 12:30pm Thrift Stores Northwest Store: 5505 N. 90th St | Mon-Sat 9a-6p | 402-502-7837 Downtown Store: 2101 Leavenworth St | Mon-Sat: 9a-6p | 402-341-1689 Papillion Store: 807 Tara Pl | Mon-Sat 9a-6p | 402-593-4055 West Center Store: 12301 W Center Road | Mon-Sat 9a-8p, Sun 12p-5p | 402-933-8242 Store Donation Pickup: Call to schedule at 402-341-1688 |
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District Office
at Holy Family Community Center 1715 Izard St. Omaha NE 68102 402-779-8499 info@svdpomaha.com HelpLine: 402-346-5445 helpline@svdpomaha.com Copyright SSVP Omaha ©2022
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