The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) is a    
network of friends, inspired by Gospel Values,
growing in holiness and building a more just world
through personal relationship with and service to people in need. 


NATIVITY CONFERENCE (nativityindy.org/svdp)

The active members of our conference (Vincentians) meet regularly for fellowship, prayer and reflection and to coordinate service to our neighbors in need, especially those who live within our parish geographical boundaries (southeastern Marion County, south of Brookville Road and east of Arlington Ave.)
Some of us visit these neighbors, listen to their needs, and try to provide hope, spiritual support, financial assistance, food, and/or household items as needed.
We also participate in the activities of the Indianapolis SVDP Council (See below) and provide regular financial support to a neighboring SVDP conference that has fewer resources and greater needs (currently, Good Shepherd Parish).

SVDP Associates participate in some of these charitable works on a regular basis. 


INDIANAPOLIS COUNCIL (svdpindy.org)

The council supports 59 parish conferences in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and oversees the operation of several facilities and programs such as:

• Help Line (317-687-0169) - Connects neighbors in need with Vincentians in parish conferences who can help and support them. 

 

• Distribution Center (1201 E. Maryland Street) -Supports the parish conferences by providing new beds, and used clothing, furniture, appliances, housewares, bedding, and linens to be given to neighbors in need. 

 

• Mission 27 Resale Stores (132 Leota Street and 1618 S. Shelby St.) - Re-sells donated clothing and other items to support the purchase of new beds, the Food Pantry, and other SVDP programs.

 

• SVDP Food Pantry (3001 E. 30th St.) - one of the largest in Indianapolis serving over 3000 households per week and including a home delivery program for shut-ins.

 

• Changing Lives Forever - An 18-week program to help those in generational and situational poverty to escape poverty’s grasp.

• Love Your Neighbor Center (LYNC) - provides housing, programming and services for unsheltered individuals to assist with self-sufficiency, stability, and sustainability as they transition to permanent housing. The LYNC also houses a food pantry and the offices of the SVDPIndy staff.

WAYS YOU CAN PARTICIPATE   Contact Charlie Gardner, 317-572-5784, [email protected] for more information.

• Become a Nativity Vincentian. Our conference normally gathers on the third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome. Call or send an email to Charlie Gardner. (See above.)

• Become a regular volunteer at the Distribution Center, Mission 27, or one of the Food Pantries. More information is available at  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NaxCsUEEg8hkFEDSlJmHd_A2KfAqBj90/view?usp=sharing

 

• Donate goods for distribution or resale. (See below for lists of acceptable and non-acceptable items.) 
  • Place usable clothing, shoes and other soft goods in plastic bags and drop them in the blue bins near the playground.
  • For drop-off or pick up of furniture, appliances, and other items, go to svdpindy.org and choose                                                                         “Give > In-kind gifts > House and other items."

 

• Make regular contributions to the Nativity SVDP Conference. 
  • in the regular collection by using the special monthly envelope mailed to you,
  • in the regular collection with an SVDP envelope from the information desk,
  • by going to nativityindy.org/give and entering “SVDP” in the comment section.
  • You can also support the programs and projects of the Indianapolis Council by going to svdpindy.org and choosing “Give.” 

                                   

• Shop at the Mission 27 Resale Stores to help fund the Food Pantry, Changing Lives Forever, and other SVDP programs.
  • In person: 132 Leota Street and 1618 S. Shelby St., M-F, 10 to 6; Sat 9 to 5
  • Online - mission27.org

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE ITEMS FOR DONATION TO SVDP::

• Washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves (no gas appliances)
• Living room, dining room, and bedroom furniture (no used beds)
• Small appliances (toasters, irons, coffee makers, cookers, microwave ovens)
• Dishes, glassware, pots and pans, cooking and eating utensils
• Fans, area rugs, vacuum cleaners
• Clothing and footwear
• Soft goods (purses, bedlinens, towels, blankets)

LIST OF NON-ACCEPTABLE ITEMS FOR DONATION TO SVDP::                                                                                        https://www.svdpindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ITEMS-NOT-ACCEPTED-SVDP-DC.pdf

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
AMANDA'S STORY 

Amanda (not her real name) is a single mom who lives within our parish boundaries with her children, ages 14, 11, and 4. She works full-time, but she receives no child support. Her rent just went up 33% to $1,197 per month. Recently, she was unable to work because of some medical issues, and she is struggling to pay for food and utilities. Despite all this, she does not qualify for government food assistance (SNAP) because her salary is just over the monthly limit for a family of four. 

Amanda is a hardworking young mother who is absolutely trying to do her best for her children, but she is living on the edge of poverty.  Our St. Vincent de Paul Conference has helped with her utility bill and is connecting her to additional food sources. Please help us in our mission to assist more people like Amanda by making a contribution using your SVDP envelope or at nativityindy.org/give. Be sure to write “SVDP” in the comments section. Thank you!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SVDP NATIVITY CONFERENCE MEMBERS

• Joe Banich
• Paul Bobish
• Rosemary Bobish
• Dianne Flanagan
• Karen Forshee, secretary
• Charlie Gardner, president
• Dianne Gardner
• Becky Hawkins
• Kathy Mason, vice president
• Tom Mason
• Greg Perkins, treasurer
• Tom Price, president emeritus
• Bruce Scifres, spiritual advisor

SVDP NATIVITY ASSOCIATES

• Terry Daley
• Bernie Weitekamp
• Tim Schubach
• Suzie Alexander
• Frank Smith
• Matt Braun
• Gil Ellis
• Marilyn Ellis
• Susan Grenough
• Kathy Gallo
• Paola Alejo
• Scott Curren
• Bob Koch
• Mary Hedrick

---

SERVICE AND STEWARDSHIP REPORTS

July, August, September  - 2025

• Thanks to Nativity parishioners for donating a total of $7876.55 during this quarter.

• During these three months, our conference received calls for help from 35 households in need within our parish boundaries, including 45 adults and 63 children. 

• We were able to help 31 of these families with spiritual support and material assistance by visiting them in their homes and/or by phone.

• We helped 11 of these families obtain donated clothing, bedding, furniture, and other items from the SVDP Distribution Center and other sources.

• We also assisted some of these neighbors with utility payments ($4276.70), Kroger cards ($1475), and rent support ($500).

• During our Renewal and Recruitment Weekend (Sept. 6 and 7), we recruited several new volunteers for the SVDP Love Your Neighbor Food Pantry in Beech Grove.

_______________________________________________________                                                          

Annual Service and Stewardship Report
(October 2023 through September 2024)
 
 We assisted 112 households (394 individuals) who live within our parish boundaries.. 
 
 RECEIPTS
 $29,432 - contributed by Nativity parishioners (a 56% increase over last year)
 
 EXPENDITURES FOR NEIGHBORS IN NEED

• $11,825 -   temporary housing, utilities, rent, shut-off prevention
• $6,515 - bedding, refurbished appliances, etc.
• $5,400 - donations to Good Shepherd, OLL conferences
• $1,800 -  Kroger gift cards for groceries and fuel
• $257  - dues to SVDP Indy (received $500 worth of Kroger gift cards in return)

$25,797     TOTAL

 Estimated value of goods provided to these neighbors in need from SVDP Indy Distribution Center

• Beds: 24 for 19 households  - $2,400
• Furniture: 24 households -  $6,150
• Clothing: 30 households (40 adults, 45 children) -  $5,810
• Sheets, blankets: 28 households  - $3,175
• Misc. household goods: 10 households - $2,275
• Appliances: 7 households -  $1,950

$21,760 TOTAL ESTIMATED VALUE
 

•  In December, 2023, we distributed Christmas gifts to 22 families from the Catholic Charities Christmas Store.

 

• During our Renewal and Recruitment Weekend (Sept. 14/15, 2024) we recruited 2 new Nativity Conference members, and 11 new SVDP Pantry volunteers.

 ____________________________________________________________

Annual Impact Report from the SVDP Indy Council
(October 2023 through September 2024)
https://www.svdpindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/SVdP_2025_ImpactReport_sm.pdf