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| Walkers to support local needs |
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| Written by Maddy Houk / Patterson Irrigator / | |
| Friday, 14 March 2008 | |
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At a glance WHAT: March Against Hunger, sponsored by St. Vincent De Paul Society of Sacred Heart Catholic Church WHEN: Registration at 8 a.m., walk at 8:30 a.m. March 29, rain or shine WHERE: Father Connors Hall, 220 N. Salado Ave. WHO: All ages are invited to take part in the four-mile walkathon; route maps will be provided INFO: Norma Plaugher, 892-9321 For the past 10 years, St. Vincent De Paul Society’s 4-mile March Against Hunger has raised money each spring to help community members in need. The society’s president, Frank Stehli, said between 80 and 100 people typically participate in the group’s biggest fundraiser each year. The Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation will match as much as $5,000 of the money raised. “We easily helped 2,200 to 2,300 people last year, and some of them more than once,” Stehli said. St. Vincent De Paul Society is an international nonprofit charity that helps people in need, regardless of race or religion. With the help of local individuals, service clubs and organizations, 30 St. Vincent De Paul Society members run a variety of programs that help folks of all ages. The society and its donors annually provide food and staples for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets — in 2007, more than 400 families received goods at Thanksgiving. The society shares staples and food items with FAITH Food Bank of Stanislaus County and Westside Food Pantry, among others. “The people in this community are hungry and poor,” said Claudia Smith, a society volunteer. “We sort it out, organize it and give it to those in need.” This summer, St. Vincent De Paul Society started feeding the homeless and hungry twice each week. Stehli said volunteers have seen more people than usual in the food line lately and regularly feed about 40 people. “There are more people, particularly this time of year,” he said. “There are so many people out of work.” Working families also have their hardships, Smith said. “There are high gas prices and homes being foreclosed,” she said. “There are a whole lot more needs than ever before. On top of that, we also share with seniors in town who are struggling. The donors are from the community — it’s all part of a community effort.” Sometimes, too, those who want help will stop by the Sacred Heart Catholic Church rectory or call in with a need. Sacred Heart staffers follow up with home visits. St. Vincent Del Paul Society also provides Caring Hearts Baskets for newborns that include new and gently used clothing and supplies, food and gasoline vouchers, prescription drug help and one-time assistance for a portion of rent or utility costs. At Christmastime, the society relies on a lot of community help for the Christmas Giving Tree program, which in December 2007 provided clothes and toys to more than 800 local children. Local volunteer Cyndy Gomes, who has helped the society the past six years, picks out gifts for more than 150 children each holiday using money donated to the society. “They don’t want any child to not receive a gift at Christmas,” Gomes said. “St. Vincent De Paul provides the money for me to do the shopping for whatever is needed.” Smith said volunteers are needed for the group’s projects, and Stehli emphasized that anyone can join. “It’s a Catholic organization, but you can be an associate member,” Stehli said. “You certainly don’t have to be a Catholic to volunteer." To reach Maddy Houk at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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