Its members call themselves the "Silent Society" because their quiet, charitable work attracts little attention. And that's just fine with those who belong to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
"We operate quickly and quietly to determine what help someone needs and get it taken care of," said Paul Hoppman, a member of the St. Vincent de Paul conference board, representing Nativity Parish.
Last year alone the local society chapter, called a conference, answered about 3,500 requests for help through the 12 Catholic parishes that support the conference. That translated into assistance to nearly 16,000 needy area people.
What makes the organization different from many other private and public charitable groups, according to Joanne Tobin, a conference board member from Resurrection Parish, is that, "We don't ask any questions. We don't have income guidelines. We don't ask how they got into their current circumstances."
Help is usually in the form of food, clothing, furniture or other household items -- normally through vouchers to the organization's two retail thrift stores
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"The need is getting greater out there. The average person requesting is a single mother with children," Tobin said. This time of year, many families need school clothes and are looking ahead to winter clothing, she said.
"Many are very timid about asking for help. They feel like they've failed," she said.
Volunteers go to the families' homes to talk about their needs. They always say a prayer with the family before they leave.
"They are grateful for the help. Seeing little kids smiling up at you makes it all worthwhile," Hoppman said.
There are no plans to celebrate the local conference's 150th anniversary. In June, the group hosted the 2009 Midwest Conference meeting.
