SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL – ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON

What Is It?: A nonprofit that helps people in need get back on their feet; it provides short-term financial, material, and emotional support and works one-on-one through advocacy, education, and referral to break cycles of poverty, empower people, and promote self-sufficiency.

Help Needed: Help at resale shops or food pantries, help in the office, or collect needed items.

Minimum Age to Volunteer: 15, to volunteer independently. Youth between the ages of 8-14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Help Needed

HELP AT A RESALE SHOP

Help maintain a clean and organized shop, stock shelves, assist customers with their purchases, and process vouchers for clients who use them. Resale shop revenue is vitally important to our ministry. There are 2 stores, in Bellaire and on the Gulf Freeway in Houston.

HELP AT THE E-STORE

Help sort and appraise the more valuable donations, which then may be listed for sale on the Society’s online shop. This opportunity is available at the Gulf Freeway location.

DONATION SERVICES

Sort through and organize donations, test electronics and furniture to ensure they are operational and usable, and help with minor repairs and cleanup of donated items. This opportunity is available at Gulf Freeway location.

HELP AT THE FOOD DEPOT OR A FOOD FAIR

Stock the shelves and help keep the area clean and organized, assist clients with their choices, break down bulk items into family-sized portions for disbursement at monthly Food Fair, or help distribute food on the day of the Food Fair. This opportunity is available at Gulf Freeway location.

PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

Enter client information into our computer system, help us gather information on the impact of our services in the community, and/or assist with other administrative duties.

COLLECT FOOD OR HYGIENE ITEMS

We are always in need of nutritious nonperishable items such as peanut butter, tuna, canned meats, vegetables, pasta, pasta sauce, canned fruit, rice, beans, and shelf stable milk. Personal hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo) and cleaning supplies are also greatly appreciated. If you want to organize a drive, we can help you with donation bins, flyers, and more.

Time Commitment:

4 hour shifts. Both locations are open to receive volunteers Tuesday- Friday from 8:30 AM–5 PM and Saturday 8 AM-4 PM.

Suitable for Groups of Volunteers?

Yes. Our volunteer projects can accommodate groups of various sizes and can provide team-building opportunities. We recommend you schedule at least three weeks in advance, but no less than 1 week.

Training Needed:

Enthusiasm and willingness to work with our staff, volunteers, and clients.

Contact:

Volunteer Coordinator, (832) 538-0323, or [email protected]

Website:

http://www.svdphouston.org/

Who is the Society of St. Vincent de Paul? (4 minutes 2 seconds) (2011)

Available For Scout Eagle or Gold Award Project?

yes

Examples of past Scout projects

Built a garden area with two raised beds, a citrus tree, garden bench, and water feature to attract pollinators and also serve as a relaxation spot for those who work on the SVDP campus; created a process to sell donated items online, set up a room with shelving for storing items, and bought a computer, printer, digital camera, postage machine, and materials for posting the items. Nathan Wilson (Troop 266) painted the cinderblock walls and shelves in the inventory storage room of the store, and installed a 36 foot long hanging rod for storage and organizing.

Location:

2403 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77021

The Vincentian Service Center and the Houston resale shop are located at 6654 Gulf Freeway, Houston, TX 77087.

The Bellaire resale shop is located at 5236 Cedar Street, Bellaire, TX 77401.