New Vincentian Services Center opens its doors to Houston’s needy, but also needs help stocking the shelves

December 13, 2010

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Dec. 13, 2010
Contact: Monica Hatcher, Media Relations Specialist
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
mhatcher@archgh.org
Office: 713.652.8213

New Vincentian Services Center opens its doors to Houston's needy, but also needs help stocking the shelves

HOUSTON – In time for the holidays, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, serving the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, is throwing the doors of its new services center open to Houston's poor and needy with a thrift store, massive Ozanam donation center and the John L. Food Depot.

Swelling need from tough times, however, has also translated into greater need for donations at the new 50,000 square-foot facility.

As it launches the new center, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul needs help stocking the shelves with winter and children's clothing, food, household goods and furniture to meet the growing demand from families of all stripes still struggling in the down economy.

"The more we receive, the more we are able to give and impact a greater number of individuals in the Archdiocese," said Ann Schorno, the Society's executive director.

On Thursday, Dec. 16, the Society will host media tours of the new Vincentian Services Center, 6654 Gulf Freeway. Media are also invited to stay for a special blessing and dedication of the center with Cardinal Daniel DiNardo.

Over the past year, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a nonprofit Catholic lay organization in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston dedicated to spiritual growth through charitable work, provided 440,000 services to local residents and distributed $6 million in food, financial aid, goods and other assistance.

WHAT: Media tour of the new Vincentian Services Center, dedication and blessing with Cardinal Daniel DiNardo.

WHERE: Vincentian Services Center, 6654 Gulf Freeway. (I-45 S. @ Broad St.)

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 16, 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Public blessing and dedication at 10:30 a.m.
 

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