The Vincentian FRONT LINE Anything we possess, beyond what we immediately need, belongs to those who go without. 3001 E. 30th Street Indianapolis, IN 46218 Phone (317) 924-5769 www.svdpindy.org March, 2016 Bread for World Event by Charlie Gardner INSIDE THIS ISSUE Bloomington SVdP Receives Notable Donations 2 Indy Food Pantry Update 2 2015 SVdP Christmas Celebration in Brown County 3 South District Update 3 Distribution Center Work Schedule 4 Food Pantry Work Schedule 5 Calendar of Events 6 FROM THE PRESIDENT Bread for World will present “Survive and Thrive,” –– an Offering of Letters Workshop, from 9 am to 12:30 pm on Saturday, March 12, at Second Presbyterian Church, 7500 N Meridian Street in Indianapolis The focus of this year’s offering of letters to Congress is on improving nutrition for mothers and children in some of the poorest parts of the world Featured speakers will be Rebecca Middleton from Alliance to End Hunger and Matt Gross from Bread for the World. For more information and to register, go to wwweventbritecom and search for “2016 Bread Offering of Letters Workshop,” or call Charlie Gardner, 317-407-9130 I have been pondering the word “change” now for quite some time What does it mean when an organization changes? I personally don’t like change very much I want to continue to live in my comfort zone where things stay the same However, I have to be realistic I know through my life experiences that life changes for me every day No one day is ever similar Some days are good and other days could be better Some days I am quite happy and filled with joy while other days I have to shed a tear for things that just don’t go the way I planned Much to my dismay, I have learned that I don’t have control over very much I can advise, counsel, and lead as best as I can, but the dear Lord has a plan for me, and I don’t control that plan I looked up the word “change” in the dictionary It means, “to become or make different; to start something new; to renew” As we have learned and discovered through the Strategic Planning process, Vincentians still have a very strong desire to help the poor through the various ministries relating to food, home furnishings, clothing, and homelessness However, we also heard that Vincentians want to continue to improve upon these ministries In order to improve, we need to change to better meet the needs of the poor Vincentians are discussing better nutritional food to combat obesity Vincentians still want to provide charity to the poor, but can we, at the same time, help the poor break the cycle of poverty? Can we provide the poor with the respect they deserve and which our Lord asks of us? As I said at the beginning of this message, I don’t like change It can be hard, and I sometimes prefer taking the easy road I want my life to be simple and not complicated, but the Lord has another plan for all of us He tells us that life is indeed not simple and we will face challenges Jesus Christ’s life was far from easy and simple So, I challenge all of us, myself included, to embrace “change” and to change –– not for change itself, but to understand change –– in order to improve upon our ministries We do this to better serve and love the poor I would like to conclude with a prayer written by the Most Reverend Daniel Buechlein OSB, Archbishop Emeritus of Indianapolis: “O Lord, help me know Your will for me Let Your light shine in the depth of my heart that I may know what You want me to do with my life Help me believe that You have a special plan for me Lord, I know that I pass through this life but once; help me decide how You want me to make a difference Like Your Blessed Mother, give me the wisdom to hear Your voice and the courage to answer Your call Above all, give me peace of mind and heart I offer this prayer in Your name Amen” John Ryan
Transcript
The VincentianFRONT LINEAnything we possess, beyond what we immediately need, belongs to those who go without.
3001 E. 30th Street Indianapolis, IN 46218 Phone (317) 924-5769 www.svdpindy.org March, 2016
Bread for World will present “Survive and Thrive,” –– an Offering of Letters Workshop, from 9 a .m . to 12:30 p .m . on Saturday, March 12, at Second Presbyterian Church, 7500 N Meridian Street in Indianapolis .
The focus of this year’s offering of letters to Congress is on improving nutrition for mothers and children in some of the poorest parts of the world .
Featured speakers will be Rebecca Middleton from Alliance to End Hunger and Matt Gross from Bread for the World.
For more information and to register, go to www .eventbrite .com and search for “2016 Bread Offering of Letters Workshop,” or call Charlie Gardner, 317-407-9130 .
I have been pondering the word “change” now for quite some time . What does it mean when an organization changes? I personally don’t like change very much . I want to continue to live in my comfort zone where things stay the same . However, I have to be realistic .
I know through my life experiences that life changes for me every day . No one day is ever similar . Some days are good and other days could be better . Some days I am quite happy and filled with joy while other days I have to shed a tear for things that just don’t go the way I planned . Much to my dismay, I have learned that I don’t have control over very much . I can advise, counsel, and lead as best as I can, but the dear Lord has a plan for me, and I don’t control that plan .
I looked up the word “change” in the dictionary . It means, “to become or make different; to start something new; to renew .”
As we have learned and discovered through the Strategic Planning process, Vincentians still have a very strong desire to help the poor through the various ministries relating to food, home furnishings, clothing, and homelessness . However, we also heard that Vincentians want to continue to improve upon these ministries .
In order to improve, we need to change to better meet the needs of the poor . Vincentians are discussing better nutritional food to combat obesity . Vincentians still want to provide charity to the poor, but can we, at the same time, help the poor break the cycle of poverty? Can we provide the poor with the respect they deserve and which our Lord asks of us?
As I said at the beginning of this message, I don’t like change . It can be hard, and I sometimes prefer taking the easy road . I want my life to be simple and not complicated, but the Lord has another plan for all of us . He tells us that life is indeed not simple and we will face challenges . Jesus Christ’s life was far from easy and simple .
So, I challenge all of us, myself included, to embrace “change” and to change –– not for change itself, but to understand change –– in order to improve upon our ministries . We do this to better serve and love the poor .
I would like to conclude with a prayer written by the Most Reverend Daniel Buechlein O .S .B ., Archbishop Emeritus of Indianapolis:
“ O Lord, help me know Your will for me . Let Your light shine in the depth of my heart that I may know what You want me to do with my life . Help me believe that You have a special plan for me . Lord, I know that I pass through this life but once; help me decide how You want me to make a difference . Like Your Blessed Mother, give me the wisdom to hear Your voice and the courage to answer Your call . Above all, give me peace of mind and heart . I offer this prayer in Your name . Amen .”
John Ryan
FRONT LINE2 / March, 2016
The St . Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, located at 3001 E . 30th St ., continues to be the largest food pantry in the Midwest . The following is a summary of the Pantry operations in 2015 .
Food Pantry Updateby Don Striegel
Bloomington SVdP Blessed with Two End-of-Year Donations to Help with 2016 System ProgramsDecember proved to be a very good month for the Bloomington and Monroe County Society of St . Vincent de Paul . The St . John conference, which has members from the three area Catholic parishes of St . John, St . Paul, and St . Charles, received two major donations .
The first was a donation of $7,875 given by the 50+ Men Who Care, a local group of men that meet quarterly and vote on a worthy charity or non-profit community organization to which they donate money . At their last meeting of 2015, they voted to give SVdP funds to help those in need with rent and utility deposits . SVdP is one of the few charities that will help with deposits of any kind .
The second donation came from the Secretly Group of Music Companies and Recording Labels that is based in Bloomington . Chris Swanson, one of the founders of the Secretly Group, presented checks of $20,000 and $10,000 to the Society . The $20,000 check is a continuation of the Secretly Group support for the conference’s appliance program . The appliance program purchases used stoves, refrigerators, and washers & dryers and distributes them to families in need . The $10,000 check was given as seed money for two new programs the conference is starting in 2016: a MicroLoan program and
a bed bug remediation program . The MicroLoan program will be used to help low income persons start a business or help with a one-time large expense . The bed bug remediation program will offer both information and bed bug kits to help low income residents combat an infestation .
50+ Men Who Care, a Bloomington Community group, presents a check for over $7,800 to Bloomington’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference.
We are experiencing an increase in the cost of food that we must purchase along with a decrease in the amount of food donated . We are especially pleased to have a small increase in the number of volunteers serving the Pantry .
We anticipate client volume to stay relatively the same in 2016 . Of course, our hope is to see a decline in the need for our services as the economy improves and anti-poverty programs, such as our own “Changing Lives” program, positively impact the community .
Pantry leadership appreciates the support and contributions of our volunteers, donors, benefactors, vendors, suppliers, clients, and the community . We could not provide the products and services to individuals and families in need without each of you . God bless you for your generosity!
Households served 19,000
People served 68,500
Average households/week 3,000
Total Pantry visits 135,100
Retail value per visit $80.48
Retail value distributed $10,800,000
Deliveries to homebound 335 per week
Food donated/purchased 6,300,000 pounds
Number of volunteers 3,000
Number of volunteer hours 64,400
Chris Swanson (center) of the Secretly Group of Music Companies presents checks to Bob Burns (left) and Wilber England (right) of the Bloomington SVdP. And he answered them . . .
“Whoever has two tunics is to
share with him who has none,
and whoever has food is to do
likewise.” –– Luke 3:11
FRONT LINE March, 2016 / 3
Christmas Celebration 2015 in Brown County by Shirley Boardman
It’s a great way to use your
skills, learn new skills, make
friends, and impact your
community!
vOlUNTEER!
Dozens of volunteers helped with the set-up and distribution of this Christmas celebration. Pictured here are (left to right): Kayla Snyder, Theresa Zimnawoda, and Hannah Davis. Kayla and Hannah are both seniors at Brown County High School and took time from their busy schedules to help with the event.
Christmas Celebration 2015 marked another milestone in the ministry of the Society of St . Vincent de Paul of Brown County . Theresa Zimnawoda, who chairs this activity, is now busy preparing for Christmas 2016, which requires her to be on her toes all year long .
During the month of December each year, parents and grandparents from the families who are served by the food pantry, are invited to pick out gifts, clothing, books, toys, back-to-school supplies, as well as personal care items for the children and grandchildren in their households . These items are collected all yearlong through seasonal and yard sales, donations, outright purchases, and the skilled help of thrifty shoppers .
The Caring Center in Lebanon, Indiana, regularly brings donations from their resources to Brown County, and many of these treasures are sorted and stored in preparation for the event . This year, the children of St . Barnabas School collected hats, gloves, and personal care items during Advent (as they have done for a number of years) . The Brown County Literacy Coalition donated boxes of children’s books . CVS Pharmacy in Nashville gave Theresa advance notice so she could shop the 75% discount sale, which launched her and members of her family into a whirlwind visit to all the CVS stores in the Columbus and Greenwood areas .
Theresa and Brenda Green, Treasurer, keep tabs on the ages and genders of the children served annually as well as the items that are being gathered so that enough age-appropriate items are available . This year the numbers increased by 12% from the previous year:
NumbeR oF CHilDReN SeRveD AT 2015 CHRiSTmAS CelebRATioN
Age Numbers Served Age Numbers Served
Toddlers 53 boys / 52 girls 11 12 boys / 20 girls
3 22 boys / 16 girls 12 20 boys / 21 girls
4 13 boys / 26 girls 13 13 boys / 15 girls
5 17 boys / 19 girls 14 8 boys / 13 girls
6 16 boys / 20 girls 15 17 boys / 12 girls
7 23 boys / 23 girls 16 7 boys / 12 girls
8 25 boys / 23 girls 17 7 boys / 9 girls
9 23 boys / 20 girls 18 1 boy / 4 girls
10 14 boys / 18 girls (*) 1 boy / 2 girls (*)Special situations
ToTAl: 617 CHilDReN FRom 207 FAmilieS; 292 boyS / 325 giRlS
South District Update by Linda Ingmire, President SVdP St. Jude Conference
On January 3rd, the South District celebrated the Epiphany with a Mass and brunch at St . Jude’s Parish .
During the 8:30 Mass, approximately 60 Vincentians were able to sit together in solidarity and enjoy some complimentary words from Father Steve on the good works performed by our St . Vincent de Paul Society .
After Mass, we all gathered in the cafeteria for a pitch-in brunch . Everyone had a good time sharing his or her SVdP experiences and mingling together .
Among the participants was lifelong member, Jean Magnant . Jean turned 100 years young on January 15th!
FRONT LINE4 / March, 2016
SVdP Distribution Center 2016 Work Schedule (revised 11.13.2015)Please report changes to your team manager listed at the top of each team.
Council President John Ryan 924-5769 x-213
Distribution Center Exec . Dir . Jeff Blackwell 687-8258
DiSTRibuTioN CeNTeR will be closed on: Mar 23 - 27, May 25 - 30, Jun 29 - July 4, Aug 31 - Sep 5, Nov 23-Nov 27, and Dec . 21 - Jan 3, 2017 ** Not in Archdiocese of Indianapolis, but may provide volunteers Pickups made monthly in zips: 46113, 46168, 46221, 46231, 46241 Distribution Center information: 687-8258 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.svdpindy.org
Donations of clothing and household goods are welcome at the receiving dock from 8:30 Am to 1 Pm monday thru Thursday, and on Saturday. The dock is closed on Friday and Sunday.
TeAm PARiSH CoNTACT PHoNe WoRK DATeS TeAm PARiSH CoNTACT PHoNe WoRK DATeS 1 manager Steve Schultz 891-9310 Holy Angels Essie Thomas 542-7959 SS Peter & Paul Andreas Sashegyi 276-9358 St . Ann Tom Gerding 956-8188 St . Jude Linda Ingmire 882-5726 St . Monica Bernie Hoefer 295-1697 St . Philip Neri Mike Hagist 861-0727 St . Rita Brenda Montgomery 459-8351 **SS . Francis & Clare
4 manager bob Williams 697-4733 Christ the King Bob Williams 697-4733 Holy Cross Linda Clodfelter 361-5203 Immaculate Heart of Mary Larry Doughety 361-2341 St . Andrew Deborah Jackson 444-1158 **St . Elizabeth Ann Seton St . Lawrence Joe Carey 849-7040 St . Patrick Ofelia Delgado 888-1738 St . Thomas Aquinas Chris Countryman 925-0918 St . Christopher Paul Guenin 244-9731
2 managers larry Heil 657-7093 Co-manager brandi Heil 812-384-7178 Holy Spirit Larry Heil 657-7093 Our Lady of Greenwood Sacred Heart Rose Springman 887-4456 **St . Alphonsus (Zionsville) St . Gabriel John Trent 299-9671 St . Luke Ken Crook 496-2550 St . Mark Ron Mikkelson 888-6122 St . Roch Patsy Peoni 784-5568
5 manager Ray meckauskas 594-0290 St . Matthew Jeff Blackwell 965-5079 Good Shepherd Wayne Heisig 788-2954 Nativity Craig Purdum 413-2815 St . Anthony Sally Gaddie 838-8357 St . Barnabas Marty Merkel 881-3597 St . Joan of Arc Mark Fasbinder 259-0530 St . John the Evangelist Mike Pope 562-1636 St . Simon Little Flower/ St . Therese Judy Corpuz 353-0939
Mar 19Apr 30June 11July 23Aug 27Oct 8Nov 12Jan 7, ‘17
Apr 2 May 7June 18July 30Sept 10Oct 15 Nov 19
Apr 9May 14 June 25 Aug 6 Sept 17Oct 22Dec 3
3 manager Dave Nealy 535-8228 Holy Rosary Dave Nealy 535-8228 Holy Name Don Glowinski 865-3474 Our Lady of Lourdes Don Flick 356-3655 St . Michael Carl Szentes 841-0166 St . Malachy Denny Edmonds 994-5866 St . Mary Eva Daily 370-2436 St . Pius X Jim Dubach 577-0432 St . Susanna (Plainfield) Andrea Flood 432-1716
Mar 5Apr 16May 21July 9Aug 13Sept 24Oct 29Dec 10, ‘17
Mar 12Apr 23June 4July 16Aug 20Oct 1Nov 5Dec 17
The rewards of volunteering satisfy a basic yearning of the human heart: to be needed, valued and appreciated. There’s no better place to remedy
this spiritual hunger than the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
FRONT LINE March, 2016 / 5
TeAm PARiSH CoNTACT PHoNe WoRK DATeS TeAm PARiSH CoNTACT PHoNe WoRK DATeS
Pratt•Quigley Food Center - 2016 Work Schedule (revised 11.13.2015)Please report changes to Don Striegel at 924-5769 ext-236, or at info/svdpindy.org.
1 Holy Angels Essie Thomas 542-7959 SS Peter & Paul Andreas Sashegyi 276-9358 St . Ann Tom Gerding 956-8188 St . Jude Don Striegel 332-1579 St . Monica Bernie Hoefer 295-1697 St . Philip Neri Mike Hagist 861-0727 St . Rita Brenda Montgomery 459-8351 **SS . Francis & Clare
4 Christ the King Debi Mitchell 625-3892 Holy Cross Linda Clodfelter 361-5203 Immaculate Heart of Mary Larry Doughety 361-2341 St . Andrew Deborah Jackson 444-1158 **St . Elizabeth Ann Seton St . Lawrence Rita Huck 294-8532 St . Patrick Ofelia Delgado 888-1738 St . Thomas Aquinas Chris Countryman 925-0918 St . Christopher Paul Guenin 244-9731 2 Holy Spirit Jerry Maillet 408-2875
Our Lady of Greenwood Sacred Heart Rose Springman 887-4456 **St . Alphonsus (Zionsville) St . Gabriel John Trent 299-9671 St . Luke Ken Crook 496-2550 St . Mark Ron Mikkelson 888-6122 St . Roch Patsy Peoni 784-5568
5 St . Matthew Jeff Blackwell 965-5079 Good Shepherd Wayne Heisig 788-2954 Nativity Tom Price 862-3069 St . Anthony Sally Gaddie 838-8357 St . Barnabas Dawn Lane 881-2175 St . Joan of Arc Mark Fasbinder 259-0530 St . John the Evangelist Mike Pope 562-1636 St . Simon Little Flower/ St . Therese Judy Corpuz 353-0939
Council President John Ryan 924-5769 x-213 Pantry Executive Director Jim Vento 924-5769 x-211Monday Day Manager Pete Koers 345-8901Tuesday Day Manager Jim Witchger 441-8127Wednesday Day Manager Clarence Hirsch 797-6355Thursday AM Manager Ron Mikkelson 888-6122Thursday PM Manager Sarah Himes 783-6383Friday Day Manager Ron Mikkelson 888-6122Saturday Day Managers Don Striegel 332-1579 Sarah Himes 783-6383 Home Delivery Drivers Mary Shanley 921-1403
SvdP FooD PANTRy will be closed on: Mar 21 - 26, May 23 - 30, Jun 27 - July 4, Aug 29 - Sep 5, Nov 21-Nov 26, and Dec . 19 - Jan 2, 2017 STARTiNg Time 7:30 Intake 8:00 Shopping Please encourage some volunteers to work a 2nd shift: needed from (10:30am-1:30pm on Saturdays) ** Not in Archdiocese of Indianapolis, but may provide volunteers Food Pantry information: 921-1401 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.svdpindy.org
1999 2015
Celebrating 16 Years of Hunger Relief in Indianapolis
Apr 9May 14June 25Aug 6Sept 17Oct 22Dec 3
Mar 5Apr 16May 21July 9Aug 13Sept 24Oct 29 Dec 10
Mar 12 Apr 23 June 4 July 16 Aug 20 Oct 1 Nov 5Dec 17
3 Holy Rosary Joseph Mellentine 862-3319 Holy Name Don Glowinski, Sr 865-3474 Our Lady of Lourdes Don Flick 356-3655 St . Michael Carl Szentes 841-0166 St . Malachy Bill Pierce 272-2874 St . Mary Eva Daily 370-2436 St . Pius X Clarence Hirsch 797-6355 St . Susanna (Plainfield) Andrea Flood 432-1716
Mar 19Apr 30June 11July 23Aug 27Oct 8Nov 12Jan 7, ‘17
Apr 2May 7June 18July 30Sept 1Oct 15Nov 19
Society of St. vincent de PaulArchdiocesan Council of indianapolis, inc.3001 e. 30th Streetindianapolis, iN 46218
317-924-5769www.SvdPindy.org
NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE
PAID INDIANAPOLISPERMIT #5677
FRONT LINEMarch, 2016
2016 Calendar of EventsDATe Time meeTiNg oR eveNT loCATioN DATe Time meeTiNg oR eveNT loCATioN
www.svdpindy.org ** Date changed from normal schedule
Aug . 13 Ozanam Orientation Training Details @ “svdpindy .org”Aug . 15 Deadline for Sept . 1st Newsletter Newsletter EditorAug . 22 5:30 pm Pantry Operations Board Pratt-Quigley Center Aug . 30 - Sept . 3 National Meeting Columbus, OH Sept . 1 Mid-east Region Meeting Columbus, OH Sept . 6 7:00 pm Distribution Center Ops Board Distribution Sept . 24 10:00 am 8th Ann . “Friends of the Poor” Walk George Washington Park Sept . 27 6:00 pm Council Board Distribution Center Oct . 6 4:00 pm Technology Committee (quarterly) Pratt-Quigley Center Oct . 9 8:30 am General Membership meeting Pratt-Quigley Center Oct . 16 2 pm CROP Walk for World Hunger Indianapolis Oct . 17 5:30 pm Pantry Operations Board Pratt-Quigley Center Nov . 1 7:00 pm Distribution Center Ops Board Distribution Center Nov . 9-13 Invitation for Renewal Seton Cove Nov . 12 Ozanam Orientation Training Details @ “svdpindy .org”
Mar . 5-6 Systemic Change Training Retreat Details @ “svdpindy .org”Mar . 29 6:00 pm Council Board Distribution CenterApr . 7 4:00 pm Technology Committee (quarterly) Pratt-Quigley CenterApr . 18 5:30 pm Pantry Operations Board Pratt-Quigley CenterApr . 21-23 National Mid-year meeting St . LouisMay 3 7:00 pm Distribution Center Ops Board Distribution CenterMay 7 Ozanam Orientation Training Details @ “svdpindy .org”May 7 SVdP Culture Change Seminar Detroit, MIMay 15 Deadline for June 1st Newsletter Newsletter EditorMay 31 6:00 pm Council Board Distribution CenterJun . 20 5:30 pm Pantry Operations Board Pratt-Quigley CenterJul . 5 7:00 pm Distribution Center Ops Board Distribution CenterJul . 7 4:00 pm Technology Committee (quarterly) Pratt-Quigley CenterJul . 13-17 Invitation for Renewal Seton CoveJul . 26 6:00 pm Council Board Distribution Center
