Underserved Communitites Initiative places millions of dollars in the at-risk and distressed areas throughout the Galveston Houston area. Underserved Communities Where we serve determines what we see, and what we see ultimately shapes our actions as ONE Society. The Underserved Communities Initiative began in 2021, leveraging data from the The Distressed Communities Index measures the economic well-being of U.S. communities. A grant funding program for Conferences was launched in May 2022 to illuminate ground-level disparities across the Greater Houston area. This funding is designated ONLY to zip code areas identified as "at-risk" or "distressed" with the intent to prevent the number of unhoused children, families, and senior citizens living on the streets of Houston. Purpose Increase impact by increasing the number of healthy, vibrant Conferences with dedicated members serving at-risk and distressed communities across the Galveston-Houston area. Impact More than 3.1 M of financial assistance has been provided to over 17K people in at-risk and distressed communities across the Galveston-Houston area. CHILDREN >7K prevented from being unhoused and displaced UTILITIES > 5K remained connected SENIORS >1K with extremely low incomes prevented from becoming unhoused Portfolio of Conferences Must demonstrate operations according to the National SVdP Standards of Excellence by meeting a minimum of 6 of the following requirements: Is inclusive and reflective of its local community Meets at least twice per month and maintains attendance records Has a minimum of 8 active members and a full slate of officers Has an active, trained Spiritual Advisor Focuses on person‑to‑person service, including home visits, as its core work Actively participates in District meetings and events Sends members to formation and training, including Ozanam Orientation Submits Monthly Reports to Council and uses CMS for reporting Maintains a positive, ongoing relationship with parish clergy Revitalization occurs when Conferences fail to meet standards. Holy Family - Galveston St. Albert - Fondren/ Southwest St. Ambrose - Northside St. Frances De Sales - Sharpstown St. Hyacinth - Deer Park St. Mary Purification - Third Ward St. Monica - Acres Homes St. Patrick - Kashmere Gardens St. Philip Neri - Sunnyside St. Thomas the Apostle - Huntsville St. Thomas Aquinas - Alief St. Thomas More - Westbury Grant funding cycles : October - March April - September 2025 Report 2024 Report Grant Requirements These criteria ensure that conferences serving the underserved Galveston-Houston communities are spiritually grounded, accountable, growing, and focused on meaningful person-to-person service to neighbors in need. To qualify and maintain funding: Historical deficiency in financial and/or human capacity to serve the community. Retain a minimum of 12 active members . Conduct recruitment events and onboard a minimum of 2 new members . Conduct in-person home visits in an at-risk or distressed zip code area. Use CMS (Case Management System) for monthly reports and home visit data. Conference assessment completed in the past 3 years. Submit monthly impact stories for continuous fundraising efforts. Attend Formation events. Chelse’s Story: From Crisis to Stability When a young mother called 211, she was on the brink of losing her apartment, which was close to the hospital she worked in. Her car had been broken for months, and she was relying on the Houston public transit system. When her child became fatally ill, she had to take off of work for several days, and the bills began to accumulate. The zip code area she lived in was served by a St. Vincent de Paul Conference. Vincentians scheduled the home visit immediately. Upon arrival, they prayed with Chelse, assessed her needs, and got to work contacting the leasing company and utilities company. Thanks to the Underserved Communities Program, they brought her rental account balance to zero! Your generosity makes stories like Rebecca’s possible. Every dollar you give helps a family move from crisis to stability and restores dignity and hope. Will you join us in transforming lives today? Preventing Homelessness Requires YOUR Help Your gift helps to keep children, families, and seniors safe in their homes. Ways to Give

The Society is an international organization founded in 1833 in Paris, France. It was locally established in 1871 in Galveston, TX. History In 1833, a 20-year-old college student and his friends began serving the poor in Paris, France. This was the beginning of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Today, there are more than 777,000 members serving in 149 countries around the globe. The Society arrived in the United States in 1845, where the first conference was formed in St. Louis, Missouri. The first presence of the Society in the Galveston-Houston area was in 1871 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Galveston. Today, there are 58 Conferences in the Galveston-Houston Council with more than 1,900 members growing spiritually through friendship and service to those in need. Timeline (1871-2021) Our Patrons & Founders The Society's Patron Saint St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) was the founder of the Congregation of the Mission, Daughters of Charity, Confraternities of Charity, and Ladies of Charity. He was a man of deep faith, keen intellect, and enormous creativity, he has become known as the "The Apostle of Charity" and "Father of the Poor." His contributions to the training of priests and organizing parish missions and other services for the poor shaped our Church's role in the modern world. St. Vincent de Paul Feast day is September 27th. The Society's Sister St. Louise de Marillac (1591-1660) had St. Vincent de Paul as her spiritual director. Her inherent desire to know and accomplish God's will blossomed into a life of ministry to those who were sick and destitute. Her contagious spirituality and strong, organizational ability led her to co-found with Vincent the Daughters of Charity, a group of sisters who serve the poor and who inspire our Society. St. Louise de Marillac Feast day is May 9th. The Society's Founder Blessed Frederic Ozanam (1813-1853) founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He was a young Sorbonne student who met regularly with his fellow Catholic students to discuss the issues of their time. At one of their public meetings, a challenger admitted the Catholic Church, at one time, had been a great source of good, but asked, “What is your Church doing now?… Show us your works and we will believe you.” Unable to respond, Frédéric conceded. Shortly afterward, Frédéric and six friends created the Conference of Charity, with the purpose of serving the poor of Paris. Frédéric and his friends provided food, clothing, shelter, financial, and spiritual help. They also established tutoring programs and libraries. Blessed Frederic's Feast day is September 9th. The Society's Mentor Blessed Rosalie Rendu, DC (1786 - 1856) was a Daughter of Charity who served for 54 years in the Mouffetard area, the most impoverished district of Paris. Emmanuel Bailly, the President of the Society, sent the founding members of the Society to Sister Rosalie for guidance and direction. Sending them on home visits, she formed them in the spirit of St. Vincent, teaching them how to serve the poor with respect and compassion. Blessed Rosalie's Feast day is February 7th.

There are multiple ways you can support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Conveniently donate online. By check, donor-advised funds (DAF), stock, employer-matching gifts, endowments, among others. Thank you for supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul! Ways to give There are many ways you can bless others in need. Your donation to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Galveston Houston takes only a moment, but the impact lasts a lifetime. This mission cannot continue without you. If you do not see your choice of giving below, please contact us. DONATE ONLINE YOUR IMPACT BY CHECK EMPLOYER MATCHING OTHER WAYS TO GIVE Mail a Check 
 Payable to "Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston” and mail to: Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston 2403 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX 77021 Matching gifts amplify impact! Employer matching gift programs enable you to team up and combine your employee benefits and donations to the Society, making a greater impact. If your employer matches gifts, your donation can be doubled or tripled to nonprofit organizations, like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. LEGACY GIVING DONOR ADVISED FUND GIFTS OF STOCK REAL ESTATE WIRE TRANSFER VEHICLES AND MORE! Other Assets and Giving Strategies SVdP Galveston-Houston can accept a wide variety of assets such as: cryptocurrency, art, life insurance, private business interests, or we can help you set up charitable vehicles like gift annuities or charitable trusts that provide income to you or loved ones. There are many ways to give that maximize your impact and tax savings. If you have any questions, need assistance, or have an interest in speaking further about charitable estate planning strategies for yourself or loved ones please reach out! Contact Us Form 832-538-0325 SVdP Galveston-Houston does not provide investment, tax, or legal advice. Please consult with your personal advisors before making financial decisions based on this information. The information presented here is for general information and educational purposes, is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances, and may change at any time without notice. Recommend a grant from your donor-advised fund (DAF) through your fund administrator. 
 You can recommend a gift to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, by contacting your fund administrator or making a grant recommendation online. Estate Gifts If you believe in the mission of SVdP Galveston-Houston, we hope you will consider making us part of your legacy by including us in your estate plans and joining our Champions of Spirituality, Friendship, and Service Legacy Society ! You can do this by: Beneficiary Designation of an Account Designate SVdP Galveston-Houston as a beneficiary of a financial account such as a retirement plan, life insurance policy, donor-advised fund, charitable gift annuity, or charitable trust. Bequest in a Will or Trust Include SVdP Galveston-Houston in your will or trust by inserting a provision containing our legal name and federal tax ID: Legal Name: Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Address: 2403 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX 77021 EIN #: 74-1464210 If you include us in your estate plans, please let us know. We would love to welcome and honor you as a member of our Champions of Spirituality, Friendship, and Service Legacy Society ! Gifts from Retirement Accounts Making gifts to SVdP Galveston-Houston from traditional retirement accounts can allow you or your heirs to avoid paying income tax on distributions. There are several advantageous ways to give from retirement accounts: 1. Required Minimum Distributions (RMD): If you are over age 72 and are required to distribute funds from your retirement plan, you can satisfy your annual RMD and avoid paying income tax on the distribution by giving directly to SVdP Galveston-Houston. 2. Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) If you are over age 70 ½, you can distribute up to $108,000 per year from your IRA directly to SVdP Galveston-Houston without paying income tax. This counts toward your annual RMD fulfillment. 3. Beneficiary Designation At any age, you can designate SVdP Galveston-Houston as a beneficiary of your retirement accounts. Traditional retirement accounts make for great assets to transfer to tax-exempt charities because heirs have to pay income taxes on distributions! Learn more about becoming a member of our Champions of Spirituality, Friendship, and Service Legacy Society by clicking the button below: Legacy Giving Page Charitable tax advantages often make giving stock more beneficial than giving cash. By gifting appreciated stock from your investment account, you may be eligible to: Receive a charitable income tax deduction Eliminate capital gains taxes To transfer shares of public stock to SVdP Galveston-Houston, provide your broker with the following information and notify us at 832-538-0325 or via our contact form of the amount and type of shares given so we can record and acknowledge your donation. Bank Name: Merrill Lynch DTC Number: 8862 Account Name: Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Account Number: 582-96B13 Memo: FBO Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Stock Donation Instructions SVdP Galveston-Houston partners with CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) to process real estate donations of land, residential, or commercial property. Donating real estate can offer significant tax advantages such as a charitable income tax deduction and savings on capital gains that you would have owed if you sold the property. Contact us to learn more, or begin your donation below: Ready to donate? Start Process To electronically transfer funds to SVdP Galveston-Houston via wire or ACH, please provide the following information to your financial institution that will initiate the wire transfer: To communicate additional information or special instructions, please notify us at 832-538-0325 or contact form . Please provide your name, address, and zip code to allow us to appropriately record and acknowledge your donation. 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 Employer Matching Give with confidence We understand that it is important to you that your donation is being used effectively—it is important to us, too. Our top priorities encompass prudent stewardship and accountability. Careful management of operational resources is necessary to continuously fulfill the Society's mission.

Val Senegal CEO Kirk Vogeley Finance Sandra Achury CPO Council Board Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Patricia Dornak President Deacon Charlie Buhay Spiritual Advisor Janice Chatham District 4 President Franchelle Lee At-Large Member vacant Vice President Vivian Salazar District 1 President Ladd Puskus District 5 President Rick Plaeger At-Large Member Chase Angelle Treasurer Patricia Davis District 2 President Robin Riley District 6 President Angelique Pereira Secretary Robert "Bob" Miller District 3 President Yolanda Capelo District 7 President Val Senegal CEO/ Executive Director Sandra Achury Chief Program Officer Kirk Vogeley Director of Finance

We have 59 parish-based Society chapters called Conferences with over 1,900 combined volunteers. Be part of our mission by joinin. Case Management System Benefits: Automate and simplify the filing of Monthly Conference Reports and provide cons istency in reporting among all Conferences in the Archdiocese. Maintain records of all assistance provided to neighbors in need for tracking and simplified audits by the Council. Compile demographic and financial data to use in obtaining funds. Simplify bank account reconciliation. Simplify Food Pantry reporting. CMS 4.0 Browser Edition Supported Operating Systems (OS): Windows 8 or Higher, Mac OS, iPadOS, Android, Chrome OS It is highly suggested that you bookmark the CMS 4.0 direct link or this page for quick access What's new? CMS Release Note v4.1.011 Situation tab is only two forms instead of three. Attachment can be upload at any point in the visit flow The "Merge" button has been moved to the left to avoid accidental activation. Option to navigate and review cases before auto-closing Contact AskCMSCommittee@svdphouston.org Watch Training Videos Login CLICK HERE CMS Need user guides? Scroll down for more resources. Have a question? Send an email to AskCMSCommittee@svdphouston.org Case Management Case intake & Worker Instructions Case Intake Training slides Casew orker Training slides Treasury Converting a pledge to a check request Issuing a check USER GUIDES Food Pantry Pantry Closeout Instructions Administrative Client Merge Instructions

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has been serving the greater Houston area since 1871. Essential elements include spirituality, friendship, and service. Society of St. Vincent de Paul Galveston - Houston A volunteer member organization that serves underserved communities regardless of creed, ethnic or social background, health, gender, religious or political affiliations. About The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a 501c3 non-profit organization established with the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in 1871. It includes a network of more than 50 chapters, known as Conferences , with over 1,900 volunteers, and a large network of food & clothing pantries. As ONE Society, all members, known as Vincentians , work synergistically with community organizations to keep people housed in their homes by providing financial assistance to evade homelessness, keep utilities connected, and food on the table. Mission Inspired by Gospel values, we grow spiritually through person to person service to all in need in our community. Our actions promote the dignity of the person, alleviate suffering and distress, while addressing the conditions that cause them through systemic change. Vision We are a community actively living our faith by loving and providing hope to our neighbors. We envision a future where access to financial and social resources is not limited by where one lives. Essential Elements SPIRITUALITY FRIENDSHIP SERVICE Organizational Structure The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston - Houston is part of the South Central Region. Regional Structure International Council The International Council is Located in Paris, France and represents over 100 countries. National Council (U.S) National Council, located in St. Louis, Missouri, supports all Archdiocesan Council across the USA and reports to the International Council. (Arch) Diocesan Council Our Council office supports our Districts and Conferences to promote the Society's mission and reports to our National Office. District Council 7 District councils uniting and supporting our conferences. Our districts report to our Archdiocesan Council. Greater Houston Conferences We have 50+ Conferences reporting to District and Archdiocesan Council.

← back to homepage Thank you to supporters like you! Your generosity has allowed the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to help families and neighbors in need across the greater Galveston-Houston area since 1871. Thank you for helping us continue this vital work. Donate today.

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 to continue responding to the needs of our brothers and sisters who are on the brink of becoming homeless or facing utility disconnections. In 1833, our founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and the original members realized they needed money to fund the works of charity. Because the giving capacity of the members varied, they passed around a black bag so that each member could give what they could afford. Today, we continue this tradition. This year's Black Bag Collection will be a special 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 11-12, 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 11-12 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 11-12, 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 11-12, 2026: Annual Black Bag Collection The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be holding their Annual Black Bag Collection the weekend of July 11-12, 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 11-12, 2026: 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 11-12, 2026 , in support of the Society. Last year, your support helped over 115,000 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. Don't want to make your own post? You can always repost ours! Post #1 Publish the week of June 8, 2026 Mark your calendar! JULY 11-12, 2026. Join your fellow parishioners in donating to the Annual Black Bag Collection for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Unlike many of our Catholic ministries, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul does not receive money from DSF. Your generosity will help serve people in our community. For more information, visit: www.svdphouston.org/blackbag #SVDPHouston Post #4 Publish the week of July 6, 2026 The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Annual Black Bag Collection will be active between JULY 11-12, 2026. 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 , 2026 Join your fellow parishioners 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 Program. A 2nd collection will be held JULY 11-12, 2026. Check out their 2025 Impact to learn more about their mission: www.svdphouston.org/blackbag. #SVDPHouston Post #3 Publish the week of Ju ne 29 , 2026 Please consider donating to the Annual Black Bag Collection JULY 11-12, 2026, 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 128,000 hours serving our neighbors in need across the Greater Houston area and our communities are stronger because of these amazing volunteer members. 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!

The Society provides immediate relief to families during crisis and aims to lift people out of poverty by addressing the conditions that cause it. Programas SVdP La Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl se preocupa no sólo por aliviar la angustia sino también por identificar las condiciones que la causan. Iniciativa de comunidades desatendidas 01 01 01 01 This initiative includes a grant program that enables constrained Conferences to provide financial assistance to neighbors in underserved areas during times of crises. Volunteer members, Vincentians, commit to building a healthy, vibrant conference to continuously serve at-risk and distressed areas of Greater Houston when these communities face financial hardships. Underserved Communties Home Visit Program Alivio de desastres Programa Salir Adelante Getting Ahead Graduate Getting Ahead Alumni Sistémico Cambiar Iniciativa Después de recibir el pescado durante la crisis, la Sociedad se centra en enseñar a las personas a pescar para alimentar a sus familias durante toda la vida. La Iniciativa de Cambio Sistémico incluye tres programas de desarrollo de resiliencia diseñados para cambiar la respuesta conductual a la pobreza. Los participantes examinan los recursos necesarios para lograr los objetivos de sostenibilidad y luego diseñan la hoja de ruta para construir un futuro mejor y salir de la pobreza. 02 02 02 02 Alimento Red 03 03 03 03 Despensas vecinales en todo el área metropolitana de Houston. Food Pantries Home Visit Program Sistémico Cambiar Iniciativa Después de recibir el pescado durante la crisis, la Sociedad se centra en enseñar a las personas a pescar para alimentar a sus familias durante toda la vida. La Iniciativa de Cambio Sistémico incluye tres programas de desarrollo de resiliencia diseñados para cambiar la respuesta conductual a la pobreza. Los participantes examinan los recursos necesarios para lograr los objetivos de sostenibilidad y luego diseñan la hoja de ruta para construir un futuro mejor y salir de la pobreza. 04 04 04 04 Alimento Red 05 05 05 05 Despensas vecinales en todo el área metropolitana de Houston. Disaster Relief

We have 59 parish-based Society chapters called Conferences with over 1,900 combined volunteers. Be part of our mission by joinin. Our Services 1 Service Name Describe your service here. What makes it great? Use short catchy text to tell people what you offer, and the benefits they will receive. A great description gets readers in the mood, and makes them more likely to go ahead and book. More Info 2 Service Name Describe your service here. What makes it great? Use short catchy text to tell people what you offer, and the benefits they will receive. A great description gets readers in the mood, and makes them more likely to go ahead and book. More Info 3 Service Name Describe your service here. What makes it great? Use short catchy text to tell people what you offer, and the benefits they will receive. A great description gets readers in the mood, and makes them more likely to go ahead and book. More Info 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