St Vincent de Paul

A worldwide network of 800,000 lay Catholics, we are inspired by Gospel values to grow in holiness and build a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need.
We are men and women of every age, every race, every income level, who share our blessings of time, talent, and treasure with those who need help and hope.
From our thrift stores and food pantries, to disaster recovery and prison reentry, to advocacy and systemic change, we serve our communities however they need it most. No work of charity is foreign to the Society.
Like the Good Samaritan, we’re ready to help anyone regardless of religion, age, or background.
The National Council serves nearly 90,000 faith-filled Vincentian volunteers across the country, providing resources, spiritual formation, and best practices for more than 4,000 local Conferences and 500 Councils across the country.

The largest lay Catholic charitable organization in the world, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833 by a French college student named Frederic Ozanam, so that he and his schoolmates could put their faith into action through service to the poor. Known and loved for its thrift stores and food pantries and the personal visits of its members to the homes of the poor, the Society today has more than 800,000 members operating in 150 countries. The Society's U.S. members donate nearly 17.5 million hours of their personal time every year, aiding more than 21 million people in distress and offering services valued at more than $1.2 billion.

Santa Clara County