Dear Friends,

Do you ever wonder what happens to the food and the financial support that you so generously donate to the Marshall O. Whitecotton Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society here at St. Joseph Parish? The members of the society who have the privilege of working in this ministry, can’t share specifics with you because of confidentiality issues, but we can share a few general things.
 
When someone in need calls the hotline, or is referred to us, we make an appointment to visit them in their home to determine how we might be of assistance. Many times, it is obvious from the initial phone contact that food from our pantry would be welcome and so a few bags are filled with things that they might need. We are able to help with bills on a limited basis, sometimes in conjunction with grant programs offered by utility companies through Catholic Charities of Fort Worth and other local ministries.  Some of the areas where we can be of assistance are rent, utility bills, prescriptions, food, etc.  We can also refer clients to other agencies in the area for types of assistance that we cannot cover.  We also pray with the client, offering them hope.
 
That is a brief picture of what we do, and of how your generosity fits into it. But, we are talking about real people with real needs, the faces we see when we visit, the streets they live on, the schools their children attend. When we drive past those streets, we remember the people we have visited, and pray that they have benefited from our help.
 
Often, the economy is the reason for the financial distress of some people. But many of those we visit were able to provide for themselves before an illness struck, or grandchildren had to be provided for unexpectedly, or a car accident, or a loss of a job, or any number of other reasons.  It is very difficult for many people to accept help from others in these kinds of circumstances. We covet your prayers that as we go, bearing resources that you have given, we may do so with sensitivity and in the name of Jesus who calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves.
 
If you would like to join us in the ministry of helping the needy, using the resources with which you have entrusted us, and to make your drives around town full of memories of the people you have helped, please call the hotline number found on the front of the bulletin ( 682-429-8231), leave a message and we will contact you.


Gratefully,
The Members of the Marshall O. Whitecotton Conference