ST. PETER CONFERENCE OF
THE ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

Please help us to continue our mission of love during these difficult times by donating to the St. Peter Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ need our help. SEE OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER BELOW.

Dear Neighbors,

St. Peter SVdP Dec. 2025 Application/Pantry Schedule: Please sign up to help on any Saturday from 1:00 -  3:00 pm at our Parish Hall (723 S. 27th St.). On the job training is available! 

A Story from the Heart: There was a gentleman that said he wanted to volunteer the day of our Thanksgiving Meal. I kind of wrote him off and said he could have a seat and join the line when people started coming in. He came back on Friday after going to Mass to see if he could help again. He wanted to charge his phone, so I was thinking in my mind "he was after something". He stayed with me the whole time and really was a big help. I was talking to him as we were working. His name is Kelley. He is a Navy Vet, a Catholic, a recovering Alcoholic of 4 years, he suffers from osteoporosis and is on disability. He said that volunteering helps with his recovery. He said he was currently living under the Mormon bridge in a tent. I asked him how he keeps warm and he said he has a propane heater but he is out of fuel. He doesn't get paid until Nov. 3rd. I told him I could help find him a place since he had income. He said he can't be around people who are drinking or doing drugs. The place I had in mind only rents to those 55 and over. They don't want people having parties etc. When we were ready to go, I offered to give him $20.00 so he could have some heat. He accepted it and said he has a bus pass and will get some at Walmart. That night I thought about Kelley and if he was able to keep warm with the brutal storm that came through. I came to 9:30 am Mass early and he was in O'Brien Hall. Who should walk in but Kellley. He had gone to the 8:00 am Mass. I called out to him and we were able to converse some more. He shared more of his story with me. He was sexually and physically abused by his alcoholic dad for 13 years. I told him I was sorry to hear that. He is a handyman and seems to be very resourceful. I asked him if he was able to get the propane he needed and he said yes, but it ran out on Saturday. I can't imagine surviving outside in that severe weather overnight. We had 2 people at the meal donate $20.00 each. I offered to give him that so he could get more propane and hopefully last until he got his disability check. He accepted and wanted me to keep track so he could pay me back, I said, no need. He could pay back in service to others, once he gets on his feet. He never asked me for anything the whole time we were together. He feels God put me in his path and I feel like God put him in my path. Hopefully this story will have a happy ending and Kelley can get back on his feet.

If you would like to be an instrument of God come find out how you can get involved with our St. Vincent de Paul Conference. Neighbors.svdp.stp@gmail.com or 402-341-4561X102.

Our pantry has become increasingly popular this year. We are open on Saturdays because we want to help the working poor. People are trying to make their money go further by taking advantage of pantries in the neighborhood. We are only open from 1:30 - 2:30 pm and we have been serving over 70 people in that time frame. That is double of what we used to plan for! We are seeing lots of new faces. We feel it is not going to slow down any time soon. Your donations are crucial for us to keep up with demand. Thank you for your monthly monetary donations, food donations and your volunteer hours.

If you would prefer to work behind the scenes in the pantry, please contact Sonja Schreffler at stpeterpantry@duck.com

Serving Donuts: St. Peter SVdP will be serving donuts Sunday Dec. 6th after 8:00 am and 9:30 am Mass. Please come and pitch in so the burden isn't on a few people. We love to build community at our Parish but do not want the same few people helping get burned out.

SVdP Monthly Meeting: We will not have our monthly meeting on Dec.14th due to the delivery at Park East. Please let us know if you can join Kevin and I in January. neighbors.svdp.stp@gmail.com or 402-669-8014.  

Angel Tree:  Our Angel Tree is up in O'Brien Hall. Be sure to grab a tag and bring the gift back by Dec. 9th.  We have adopted some families in need and 100 senior residents at Park East Apts. If you would like to help deliver the gifts to the families please let us know.

Community Meal: Save the date! The next Community Meal will be Jan. 17th. 11:00 - 1:00 pm at the Parish Hall.

Pantry Needs: Please help! Our pantry is struggling to keep our shelves stocked. The current pantry needs are canned fruit, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, pasta sauce, pasta, cereal, soup or ramen and toilet paper. Thank you for helping us serve those with food insecurity. Our pantry numbers keep increasing because many people in the city are dealing with food insecurity. Thank you for your generosity. Any perishable items may be donated at the Parish Hall (723 S. 27th St.) on Saturdays between 1:00 - 3:00 pm.

Items can be left in the brown bins by the entrances of the church. Thank you for your generosity.