Saint Vincent de Paul Society,
 St. Wendelin Conference, Inc.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society (SVD) in Fostoria was started on January 29, 1934, during the “Great Depression” to help people (mostly families) during a time of need.  The original members, about 12, were members of Saint Wendelin’s Church.  They saw the need to help others and their charter was approved in Paris, France on February 10, 1941. 

 

In the early years the members would meet in the church and discuss the needs of families having a hard time.  Sometimes the families didn’t directly seek help, but somehow the members would learn of a specific need; such as a bag or two of groceries, shoes for the father to go to work, some warm stockings for the girls or a ½ ton of coal.

 

Over the years the needs continued to increase, and the resources needed to expand to meet those needs.  In 1960, the SVD Society began operating a “Thrift” store in Fostoria, Ohio, to help support the works of SVD.  The store benefited the community in a number of ways.  Donated items were sold or given to people who could use them.  The income that was generated was used to pay for items that could not be donated such as transportation, prescriptions or utility payments to avoid shut offs.

 

In recent years the thrift store was no longer a viable business.  On March 31, 2010, the operation of the store was transferred to a private owner.  Within a year that owner decided to close the store.  Operations were moved to the lower level of the First Presbyterian Church at 201 W. Fremont Street on January 26, 2013.  We continue to see clients there but our mail is now sent to 323 N. Wood Street in Fostoria, Ohio.

The “Society” still takes donations of furniture, appliances and household items to aid families with these needs.   Members arrange for pick up of donations and take them to storage.  When a member becomes aware of a client’s needs, he arranges to meet the client at the “warehouse”.  This method helps us provide used furniture/appliances to those who could not afford to purchase new items and helps conserve funds for items that cannot be donated.

 

The SVD Society is still operated by about 16 local volunteer members who donate their time and talent to serving “people during their time of need”.  The small amount of office expenses we do incur are directly related to serving the clients.  These include postage, copier supplies, printing of checks and vouchers. 

 

Because the Saint Vincent DePaul Society is a faith-based organization, it has the ability to help a client in many different ways.  Sometimes it is direct assistance.  Other times the problems are large and complex, and the expertise of many difference agencies is needed.  When this occurs, SVD uses its knowledge of other agencies and resources to help the client formulate an action plan.  This method avoids duplication of efforts, and provides the client with the best possible results.