Huntsville and Madison County area St. Vincent de Paul assistance programs.
St. Vincent De Paul can provide assistance to the less fortunate in Huntsville and northern Alabama. Basic needs can be met by the volunteers, churches, and other charities that work with the organization. A focus is on offering food, emergency financial assistance, and other support, such as referrals.
The centers rely heavily on donations and volunteers from the community. Mainly through the generous people of northern Alabama, the St. Vincent De Paul conferences are able to distribute resources to individuals who are struggling to make a fresh start. Several churches and centers take part in the region. In past years almost 10,000 families received some form of assistance. Many of them do get help with paying the bills for expenses such as rent, medical and dental aid, and utilities. The volunteers, who are known as Vincentians, visit the needy. This can include senior citizens, families with children, and others who are facing difficulties.
A focus is on homeless prevention. So individuals will visit residents in their homes and offer them services. All of this is done in an effort to help them prevent homelessness. What can be offered includes emergency rental assistance (to stop an eviction) and/or funds for utility bills. Applicants in Huntsville will receive a home visit, as those are the basis of the St. Vincent Society. Dozens of volunteers and staff help with the visits and disbursing aid.
Other services offered by Vincentians to the needy include the following.
- Food pantry – This can provide free canned goods, meals, groceries, and more, especially during the holidays.
- Vouchers and additional financial assistance may be offered for prescriptions, housing costs, and summer cooling bills.
- Thrift Stores operate in the region. The general public can buy gently used items at the Saint Vincent centers. The locations are in Huntsville (2140 Jonathan Dr.) as well as Florence Alabama (659 S. Poplar Street).
- Referrals are readily available. Case managers can refer clients to professional agencies or charities in the region that deal in special areas of need.
As part of this process, the Vincentians from your local church or SVDP Conference in Madison will visit the family or individual in their home. This is done in an effort to learn more about their specific needs and determine how they may be best able to help them. All services and assistance is offered in complete confidence.
If you know of someone in need or who is struggling, regardless of their religion or race, you can also refer them to the Huntsville Alabama Saint Vincent De Paul. Please put that individual in contact with organization. You can contact them directly (and St. Vincent) will initiate contact with the individual or family or you can recommend the individual or family to contact St. Vincent. Address is 2140 Jonathan Dr NW, Huntsville. Telephone (256) 851-8881.
If you need medications or vouchers to acquire prescription drugs, while the charity does not handle this themselves, they do have referrals. Get information on maybe where to turn to for basic pharmaceuticals. Some companies may offer them to the needy at no charge.
The thrift stores (referenced above) are a major source of income for the local Huntsville SVDP conferences and churches. The money from the stores is used to provide the needy with the food, heating assistance, rent, pharmaceuticals, medicines, and other needs. Donations are always needed from a thrift store. Please contribute clothing, furniture, and other household items. Call 256-851-8881 to reach the Huntsville location.
The churches and conferences in the northern Alabama area include Sacred Heart in Cullman, St. Joseph in Huntsville, Holy Infant of Prague in Trussville, St. Joseph in Florence, St. William in Guntersville, Holy Spirit in Huntsville, St. Mark in Ashland, Our Lady Queen of the Universe in Huntsville, St. John the Baptist in Madison, St Mark the Evangelist in Birmingham, and Resurrection Chapel in the Moulton area.
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