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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) reached a milestone this year, inclusion in Forbes’ list of the 100 largest charities in the United States. SVDP ranked #75 out of the 100 listed. Each year Forbes reviews the nation’s charities and ranks them only on private contributions received, Government grants, payment for services, and investment returns are not included. SVDP also received high marks for charitable commitment and a fundraising efficiency of 95%. National President John Berry noted, “This recognition is important not because of the fact that we get to brag about how big we are, but rather because it acknowledges the enormity of the work we are doing serving His people in need. It is a reflection on the hundreds of thousands of hours of dedicated service of our Vincentians across this country. And it celebrates the generosity and support of our donors and supporters who provide us the resources we need to serve.” SVDP – Diocesan Council of Western Kentucky President, Nancy Harris reflected on the recent acknowledgement, “This is an outstanding recognition. During the last several years the Society in western Kentucky has made a conscious effort locally to leverage partnerships to make an even greater impact on our neighbors in need. I think that effort is reflected in the Society of                 St. Vincent de Paul inclusion on the Forbes list. May God continue to bless our efforts in assisting the marginalized and our friends needing a ‘hand up.’” The Society of St. Vincent de Paul –Diocesan Council of Western Kentucky, Inc.Receives $200,000 Grant The Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Diocesan Council of Western Kentucky, Inc.announces receipt of a generous grant of $200,000 from the Kentucky Colonels. This grantis to assist the ongoing long term recovery efforts of the 2021 western Kentucky tornadosurvivors. These designated funds will be used to assist The Society of St. Vincent de Paul –Diocesan Council of Western Kentucky, Inc. in meeting unmet needs such as appliances,furniture, medical, home repairs and other essential items.This grant was made possible through St. Vincent de Paul’s national Disaster ServicesCorporation plus local partnering through leveraging critical funding to increasecommunity assistance for those still struggling with the long-term effects of disasterrecovery.“We voted to partner with St. Vincent de Paul because we knew they could rushimmediate assistance to tornado survivors here at home.”, said Kentucky Colonels TrusteeGary Boschert.“It s surprising to me that so many people don’t understand the long term recoveryprocess. Although the tornado was in December 2021 it takes years for survivors to fullyrecover. St. Vincent de Paul is proud to walk with survivors through their journey.” SaysSVdP Community Liaison Vicki Duncan. “We’re very fortunate to have the experience and talent of our National Disaster ServicesCorporation assisting our disaster recovery efforts. Disaster Services Corporation isdirectly involved in ensuring The Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Diocesan Council ofWestern Kentucky, Inc. is able to respond and serve in times of natural disasters. We arenot first responders our role is to provide long term recovery efforts which would not bepossible without the generosity of the Kentucky Colonels and all local partners.” SaidJames Dale, President, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Diocesan Council of WesternKentucky, Inc. To learn more about St. Vincent de Paul’s national Disaster Services Corporationrecovery efforts visit svdpdisaster.orgTo learn more about visit The Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Diocesan Council ofWestern Kentucky, Inc. visit svdpwky.orgFor More Information Contact:Richard Remp-MorrisCEOThe Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Diocesan Council of Western Kentucky, Inc.(270) 315-5747

  While some have returned to their jobs during this pandemic many either haven’t or are only working part-time which makes it hard to keep your essential payments current. Richard Remp-Morris, CEO of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul says, “Rent, utilities, food are essential items, and many of our neighbors are struggling many times they have to choose between feeding their families, purchasing needed medicines, or other essentials.“Over the past 3 years St. Vincent de Paul has supplied $45,000 in assistance for their neighbor’s gas utility bills. With winter approaching Atmos Energy knows the need is great so through its Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities program, the company is donating $10,000 to St. Vincent de Paul Central District for energy assistance, natural gas appliance repair or line repair, and small weatherization repairs. Atmos Energy also partners with Audubon Area Community Action Agency for the weatherization program, “Atmos Cares.”Kay Coomes, Manager Public Affairs for Atmos Energy says, “The company appreciates all the efforts of St. Vincent DePaul helping our customers in the past with energy assistance and we are proud we can give back to them.” “Without this vital assistance, many of our Kentucky families would be faced with the impossible choice of choosing between heating their homes and paying for other necessities such as food and medications,” said Kevin Dobbs, Atmos Energy Kentucky/Mid-States Division president. “At Atmos Energy, we are committed to helping our most vulnerable neighbors.”The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is thankful that companies like Atmos Energy are committed to helping our neighbors in need. If your company or you yourself would like to make a donation you can do so online at svdpwesternky.org/give or by mail to St. Vincent de Paul, P.O Box 1203, Owensboro KY 42302.###

Around the diocese  with help from st. Vincent de paul, new homeowner extols power of hope courtesy of st. Vincent de paul seated are jaxon, tasha, and jamison odell, along with braun mischel, a local vincentian. By belinda abell, special to the western kentucky catholic it has been just over a year since tasha odell called the st. Vincent de paul office at sts. Joseph and paul parish in owensboro. It changed my life, she said. I was at the point of giving up. I was absolutely at my breaking point. After having made some bad decisions in the past, she was determined to make good decisions, especially because of her two boys. She had a job at mcdonalds, as did her 16-year- old son, jamison odell. They worked different shifts so one of them would be home with 10-year-old son, jaxon odell. She and her boys had been living at a local motel for over a year; not the life she wanted for them, but at least it was a roof over their heads. Someone suggested she call st. Vincent de paul to see if they could help. She was scared to call but eventually picked up the phone and called the vincentians at sts. Joseph and paul. The vincentian who returned her call that day was braun mischel. Tasha told him she wanted to move out of the motel, and that she had enough money for one months rent, but the landlord was requiring a deposit of one months rent. She wondered if st. Vincent de paul could help her with the deposit. Braun told her: do not give up; there is a way for st. Vincent de paul to help. With the amount of the deposit, he called several other local churches to see if they could contribute. After securing the funds for the de- posit, he called tasha and told her she could go ahead and move into her rented home. More good news was to come for tasha. Braun called her again and offered her a job at kentron, where he currently works. I could not believe it, said tasha. I was so excited and could not believe this was happening to me. Despite extenuating circumstances including a car that broke down, preventing her from passing her initial physical exam tasha ultimately passed the exam to acquire the job. She overcame more hurdles, such as getting sick during her jobs probationary period and her rented home going up for sale and having to move, but in the end tasha has succeeded all the stronger even purchasing her own home. This is the beauty of being a vincentian, being able to help break the bonds of systemic poverty, said braun. Tasha said she would like people to know that there is a chance, there is hope that life can get better but you must want to change your life. There is a power greater than us that can help if we want it to and let it, she said. My plans are to keep moving forward every day, to stay focused, to not give up, and to get up every day trying to do the right thing. N belinda abell is the external affairs director for the society of st. Vincent de paul diocesan council of western kentucky, inc