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Unleash the Power of Catholic Giving through the annual Black Bag Collection benefiting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston 2026 Black Bag Collection JULY 11-12, 2026 MEDIA KIT FOR PARISHES & CONFERENCES DONATE NOW History FlockNote Graphics DOWNLOAD PDF GUIDE Bulletins Social Media Contact Us What is the Black Bag Collection? The Black Bag Collection is an annual opportunity for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to reach more than 1.7 million Catholics in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and ask for their help to support the poor and vulnerable in our community. The collection is a symbol of ONE SOCIETY coming together to help those in need. We rely heavily on this major source of funds for the Society to continue to accommodate the needs of our brothers and sisters who are without basic life essentials—most of which we so often take for granted. In 1833, our founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and the original members realized they needed money to fund their good works of charity. Because the giving capacity of the members varied, they decided to pass around a simple black bag so that each member could give what they could afford to give. Today, we continue this tradition. This year's Black Bag Collection will be a special or 2nd collection at all parishes during the weekend of JULY 11-12, 2026 . Bulletin Announcements ENGLISH Please support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Annual Black Bag Collection the weekend of July 12-13, 2026 . Donations will help the Society provide food and financial assistance to families struggling to make ends meet. With the increasing cost of living, your support can make a difference. SPANISH La Sociedad de San Vicente de Paul los invita a participar en la Colecta Anual de la Bolsa Negra el 12-13 de Julio del 2026 . Sus donaciones ayudaran la misión de proveer necesidades básicas, como comida, ayuda financiera, a familias con escasos recursos. VIETNAMESE Xin hỗ trợ chương trình gây quỹ hằng năm của Hội Thánh Vinh Sơn Phaolô vào cuối tuần ngày 12-13, Tháng Bảy năm 2026 . Mọi đóng góp sẽ được dùng vào việc mua thực phẩm, quần áo, yểm trợ tài chính cho những gia đình gặp hoàn cảnh khó khăn. Với lạm phát đang gia tăng, sự đóng góp của quý vị có thể thay đổi cuộc sống của họ. Flocknote/Email Messages Email #1 Send around July 1, 2026 (Subject Line) July 12-13, 2025: Annual Black Bag Collection The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be holding their Annual Black Bag Collection the weekend of July 12-13, 2026. Our parish needs your help to support one of the oldest Catholic organizations serving the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. There are more than 1.7 million Catholics in our Archdiocese. With your help, we can strengthen our network of charity programs that provide food, clothing, and financial assistance to the struggling working-poor in our area. Donate or learn more about the Black Bag collection at: www.svdphouston.org/blackbag . Email #2 Send around July 10, 2026 (Subject Line) July 12-13, 2025: Support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Annual Black Bag Collection is the organization’s single, largest fundraiser. The funds raised are used towards program support and general operations support to keep the programs running. Please consider making a gift this weekend July 12-13, 2026 , in support of the Society. Last year, your support helped over 100,000 people! Learn more about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s community impact at www.svdphouston.org/blackbag . . Social Media Posts The parish social media coordinator can use these posts to help the Society of St. Vincent de Paul spread the word about the Black Bag Collection. Please make sure to tag the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in your social media posts! Find us on social media using the accounts below or look for us under Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. If you cannot find us, please use #SVDPHouston. Post #1 Publish the week of June 8, 2025 Mark your calendar! JULY 12-13, 2025. Join your fellow parishioners in donating to the Annual Black Bag Collection of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Unlike many of our local Catholic organizations, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul does not receive DSF funding. Your generosity will help their programs serve people in our community with food, financial assistance, and other much needed basic needs. Visit their website for more information: www.svdphouston.org/blackbag #SVDPHouston Post #4 Publish the week of July 6, 2025 The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Annual Black Bag Collection will be active between JULY 12-13, 2025. Please be generous in your giving during this weekend's special collection. Thank you for all your support in ensuring the success of the Society’s largest fundraiser of the year. #SVDPHouston Post #2 Publish the week of June 15 , 2025 Join your fellow parishioners this month in supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, one of Houston’s oldest Catholic organizations serving the needs of the poor through their unique Home Visit Ministry. A 2nd collection will be held JULY 12-13, 2025. In 2025, SVdP Houston helped 6,300 families with rental assistance. The average assistance provided was $486 per household. Check out their 2024 Impact Report to learn more about their mission: www.svdphouston.org/blackbag. #SVDPHouston Post #3 Publish the week of Ju ne 30 , 2025 Please consider donating to the Annual Black Bag Collection next weekend, JULY 12-13, 2025, to continue fueling the services provided by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Last year, volunteers of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul spent 132,000 hours serving our friends and neighbors in need across the Greater Houston area. Our communities are stronger because of these amazing volunteers. Their contributions are a critical component of SVdP Houston's core mission of providing person-to-person service to all in need. Learn more at www.svdphouston.org/blackbag. #SVDPHouston Downloadable Graphics to Share Please feel free to download any or all of these graphics to share via Flocknote, social media posts or in your parish bulletin. Questions? If you have any questions, please contact us here or call 832-538-0325 . Thank you for your active participation and partnership in this annual campaign!

← back to homepage Pray With Us Lent is a sacred time of prayer, reflection, and renewal. As we journey together through this season, we invite you to deepen your faith through prayer. Share your intentions with us and explore resources to guide your spiritual growth. How can we pray for you? Lenten resources

Community impact and financial health of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston Houston Our Impact Together, we uplift our neighbors in need! Donate By the Numbers Annual Report Stories $12.4M direct aid given in 2025 32,289 households assisted in 2025 115,060 individuals helped in 2025 128,000 volunteer hours (equates to 61 full-time employees 10 counties served across Galveston-Houston area 1,952 Vincentian volunteers We understand how important it is to you that your contribution is used wisely—and it’s just as important to us. We are committed to responsible stewardship, transparency, and accountability in everything we do. Through careful management of our operational resources, we ensure that every donation supports the continued fulfillment of the Society’s mission. 2024 Annual Report 2024 Community Impact Report 2024 Form 990 2024 Audit Report FORBES: #45 America's TOP 100 Charities in 2025 Your support changed the lives of Solana, Christian, and Dylan—and their families. "Thanks to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the incredible volunteers, we navigated through our darkest times and found hope on the other side." Meet Christian

Donate your truck, motorcycle, or trailer to the Society. If it has a motor, it is a vehicle. Working or not working. FREE PICK-UP. Vehicle Donations Frequently Asked Questions 1. Why should you donate your unwanted car? The income generated from your vehicle donation is used to help those in need. 2. In what condition should my vehicle be in? No matter what condition your vehicle is in, the Society can use the value proceeds to help an individual or family get closer to self-sufficiency. 3. Where do I drop off my vehicle? You don’t. We pick it up for you – for FREE. 5. How will my vehicle donation help? The proceeds help our programs – Home Visit, Food Network, Voucher, and Disaster Relief. 6. Is my vehicle donation tax deductible? YES! Our National Vehicle Donation Program will send you a tax-deductible receipt. 7. What kind of vehicles do you accept? Cars, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, boats, and more. Ready to donate a vehicle? Start Process

We have 59 parish-based Society chapters called Conferences with over 1,900 combined volunteers. Be part of our mission by joinin. General Assembly is Approaching! Saturday, 03/21/2026 General Assembly - One Society 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - ONE Body but many Parts St. Jerome CC - Parish Activity Center - 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM Register here! Annual Formation Opportunities to Grow Spiritually with Friends REGISTER getFED F ormation E ducation and D evelopment held virtually each month for members of the Society to continuously grow in spirit, knowledge, and skill as a Vincentian . 2nd Tuesdays each month 12:15pm - 1:00pm Leadership Training In-person workshops for new and prospective Officers. The perfect succession planning tool. Details TBD Meals and materials are provided by Council. Spiritual Retreat Contemplative Prayer (listening to God) provides the means of developing a more intimate relationship with the L ord . As our love of God deepens, our love for others grows into service for our brothers and sisters. This is an in-person, spiritual growth and renewal activity designed for all current and prospective members of the Society. Meals and materials are provided by the Council. The St. Vincent Times newsletter, published on the 1st & 15th of each month, provides upcoming Formation opportunities for members of the Society. Home Visit Training In-person workshops designed to go deeper into the purpose of person-to-person encounters. Discover the "why" and "how" to become culturally cognizant. L earn how to spiritually and physically prepare for service in your communities. Ozanam Orientation Foundation for ministry service. N ew Vincentians are required to complete this training within the 1st year of membership. Must renew every 5 years. January - September Meals and materials are provided by Council. Formation Opportunities We are committed to growing spiritually as friends. Let’s take time to nurture our hearts and minds during Advent so that we can influence the bringing of hope and help to others. Our mission isn’t just about providing service to those in need—it’s also about living in unity with Christ. When we pause to pray, reflect, and seek the will of the Holy Spirit, we create space for Him to operate in oneness with our mission. Formation is oftentimes the transformation our soul needs to increase our Vincentian footprint and impact. febrero de 2026 Hoy lun mar mié jue vie sáb dom 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8:30 Ozanam Orientation 8 9 10 12:15 getFED Virtual Training 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18:30 Basics of Home Visits 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 18:30 Virtual Ozanam Orientation 4 5 18:30 Virtual Ozanam Orientation 6 7 8 Providing Spiritual Nourishment to Members Requires YOUR Help Ways to Give

← back to homepage SUPPORT OUR MISSION. We are a community actively living our faith by loving and providing hope to our neighbors in need. We envision a future where access to financial and social resources is not limited by where one lives. Donate JOIN US. MAKE AN IMPACT. Vincentians are active or associate members of the Society who God calls to grow in spirituality through friendships and service. Use your gifts and talents to create a legacy of impact across the Greater Houston communities. Learn How

Follow the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston Houston on all social media! SVdP AGH Website Donate Disaster Relief News & Stories Volunteer In-kind Donations

Home Visit From the Society’s beginning, the central and most basic activity of Conferences has been visiting the needy in their homes. Start Now Home Visit From the Society’s beginning, the central and most basic activity of Conferences has been visiting those in need in their homes. Spirituality, Friendship and Service are the essence of home visits. By visiting people in their homes, members are humanizing the response to the crisis by experiencing the person's living conditions and needs. This is the clearest symbol of our Vincentian charism, which dictates the highest respect for the dignity of the poor. Spirituality Friendship S ervice Temporary financial assistance is provided to immediately alleviate the suffering of families in distress once information has been obtained and verified by the service provider. Assistance varies from housing, utilities, and other basic needs . Financial assistance is always provided directly to the service provider, not the person in crisis. Policies and protocols help eliminate fraud and abuse. Personal Encounters Vincentians prevent homelessness by humanizing the distressing situation of needing assistance during a crisis or disaster. Vincentians are volunteer members who undergo special training and development to conduct home visits compassionately with diverse populations and communities. Families are provided the dignity they deserve when Vincentians allow the Holy Spirit to guide their interactions. Prevention of Homelessness Process 1. If you are requesting assistance, contact one of the Conferences to schedule a home visit. If you need help locating a Conference closest to your area, please call 211. 2. Vincentians will schedule and perform a Home Visit to listen, offer humble advice, and assess your situation to potentially render material or financial assistance. 3. Vincentians will make contact with your service provider to coordinate support and then follow up with you and your family. Find a Galveston Houston Conference

We have 59 parish-based Society chapters called Conferences with over 1,900 combined volunteers. Be part of our mission by joinin. Case Management Case intake "New" Case Intake "Returning Individual" Entering Assistance for Neighbor in Need Entering Casework Info Converting Pledge to Check Request Administrator Administrator Tasks Adding Vendors to Drop-Down Menu Adding Volunteer Hours & Mileage Treasurer Approving Pledges & Check Requests Closing Month & Reports Adding Credits & Debits ENTIRE CMS TRAINING PLAYLIST Food Pantry Pantry Closeout training Pantry Closeout for Existing Clients Other Tasks Conducting Searches Managing Vendor Lists

Neighborhood food pantries throughout the Greater Houston area managed by Vincentians, members of the Society Food Pantry Network Vincentians aim to alleviate hunger across Greater Houston communities through special works programs like operating an SVdP Food Pantry in their community, especially in areas deemed a food desert. Interested in becoming a member? You can help package and distribute food to those in need. GET INVOLVED The Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Food Network serves 10 different counties throughout the Greater Houston area. The network is made up of member-operated community pantries. These neighborhood-based pantries provide families with access to nutritious food. Some of the most vulnerable populations are the elderly and children. Need Food? 211 HELP NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT DECLARACION DE NO DISCRIMINACION Alleviating Hunger Requires YOUR Help Ways to Give