St. Vincent de Paul

Thank you, CTK Parishioners

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is nearing one year since the founding of our CTK Conference. Though it takes an incredible commitment to stand up a conference, you can ask any member and they will tell you what a rewarding experience it has been. We couldn’t have made the impact we have on the lives of our neighbors and in our community, without the love and generosity of our parish family. In addition to the financial support we have received, your love and prayers continue to support us.  Between July 1, 2022 and Jan 31, 2023 we have assisted almost 1200 individuals with food, almost 100 with utilities assistance, 37 with rental assistance, 15 with car repairs and 7 with temporary housing. Additionally, we’ve been able to provide clothing, furniture, funeral expenses, loan assistance, and prescription med assistance. In that short amount of time, we’ve spent $34,565 with the gifts you have entrusted us to use in caring for those in need. Lent is the perfect time to remind ourselves of the impact we can make for those in need. When fasting, consider and pray for those who lack food and nourishment. Give alms to those in need, whether in the form of food, money, or in-kind services. Pray always. Not only will you make a difference in someone’s life, but yours too will be immeasurably changed.  We are open to everyone in the Belton area. We are an Equal Opportunity Provider."
 

Food Pantry Needs

Please save grocery bags for our Food Pantry; we can use plastic, good quality paper bags, or reusable grocery bags. You can bring them to the Food Pantry on the last Saturday of the month or contact us at 254.444.2556 and we'll coordinate with you for receipt at a weekend mass.    
 

Time for Spring Cleaning

If you’re spring cleaning your home and pantry, remember the Food Pantry. If you have items you’ve had for a while but won’t ever use, send it our way. We can always use donations of shelf-stable foods; canned goods (meats, vegetables, fruits, applesauce), dry goods (beans, rice, pasta, instant potatoes, dried fruit). Please double check expiration dates. We also provide toiletries and can use donations of toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, soaps, lotions, toothpaste, diapers, wipes, etc. Contact us @ 254.444.2556 to coordinate with you for receipt of donations at a weekend mass.

• Bi-monthly meetings
  • Every second Thursday and fourth Monday from 7 - 8 pm in the New Family Life Center.
• Food Pantry
  • The food pantry will be open the 1st Wednesday of the month from 3 pm—5 pm, and the last Saturday of the month from 9 am - 11 am.  The food pantry will be open to Belton residents in the portable building. Volunteers should arrive at 2 pm (Wednesday) or 8 am (Saturday). If you know someone in need, let them know SVdP is here to help. To volunteer for this corporal work of mercy or to request assistance, contact the ministry at 254-444-2556 or svdp@ctkbelton.org.
  • We are open to everyone in the Belton area. We are an Equal Opportunity Provider.
     

Beginning in 2021, Fr. Sang began speaking with several parishioners about the possibility of establishing a Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference at CTK Parish. There were several who were active in continuing the work of the Salt & Light Ministry that had been formed several years ago by many of the faithful in the CTK community. The primary focus was in support of a monthly Food Pantry and a Utility Bill Assistance Program, along with several other special community outreach programs. Salt & Light had been a passion of Deacon Shoemake and was one of the many outlets he and others used in their evangelization. 

In April of 2022, Diocesan representatives of SSVdP organized informational meetings at CTK and shortly thereafter, CTK made the decision to establish a Conference. We have had the support of the Diocese and District Council and our sister conference, St. Helen’s in Georgetown, in getting our officer board established, coordinating regular meetings, and in receiving Ozanam training and guidance.  

While forming the conference, we were able to continue the work of Salt & Light, and officially folded that ministry into the SSVdP CTK Conference in September with our conference’s installation of officers and commissioning of members.  We have 26 active Vincentians in our conference. During the summer months, St. Helen’s conference accompanied our visiting teams on several visits with Neighbors, coaching our teams in working with these new neighbors as friends, not simply a case.  

We have been blessed to have a parish and pastor who financially support the work of the Catholic church in caring for the poor, and for those who have simply encountered a rough time. Since establishing our conference bank account in July, we have spent ~$11,500.00 in providing for our neighbors.  We have only had a couple of instances when we were not able to directly assist, but we still provided a listening ear, true concern, friendship, and love, and we were able to put them in touch with other organizations who were better able to help them with their needs. 

Since September, the CTK Conference has assisted 32 families; God is working through our conference to help those in need. We have assisted with all types of Utility needs (electric, water, gas), car repairs, phone and internet for people who needed these to continue their jobs, rental assistance, medications, job referrals, auto insurance, food and toiletry items, and gas cards. And we have helped throughout the county, not only in Belton, but also in Temple, Harker Heights, Killeen, and Copperas Cove.  Without a doubt the most important gifts we have been able to share with our community, are to listen patiently, and to offer love and our friendship; a warm hug goes a long way.  

We continue to serve our neighbors in the Belton community with the monthly food pantry scheduled on the last Saturday of the month, assisting approximately 50 families and sometimes close to 150-170 individuals each month. In the new calendar year, we anticipate opening on a weekday as well. 

Some of these neighbors we help once and may never hear from them again, but others truly become our friends, we continue to check on them and they reach out to us for prayer. One lady, MJ, seeks several of us out during food pantry day just to talk and catch up. She’s made progress and is getting her medication now. Another family, ER, and his wife are raising their granddaughter; he suffers from cancer and lung problems; they lost most of their belongings in a house fire a couple of years ago and are still struggling with several predatory loans that we are working to assist them with. We were able to help them keep their one-family vehicle. A recent couple K&R were evicted and living in a tent near UMHB. We are still assisting them with continued calls, visits, and referrals, and we were able to obtain funds from the Diocese designated for the Homeless; they should be in a home within the next week and we’ve been able to get their car running safely. We were able to keep them warm and dry in a hotel during the recent rains and provided them with hot meals as well. 
It gives all of us great joy to be able to help those in need, whatever the need may be. 
Our conference can be contacted at 254.444.2556 or at svdp@ctkbelton.org if you know of anyone who needs assistance. We are open to everyone in the Belton area. We are an Equal Opportunity Provider.  

If you have any questions, you may also contact me at the number below, 
Marcia Thigpen
SSVdP - CTK Conference President 
254.444.2556