Did you know that the first U.S. Conference was formed in 1845 at the Basilica of St. Louis on the banks of the Mississippi River?
Today, from that first formation, we have grown to more than 3,000 St. Vincent de Paul members in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Our St. Vincent de Paul Society at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church is one of them. Our mission is the same, to help the poor.
Our Conference held its first meeting on June 10, 1993, with 11 members present. At that time we also had a small food pantry in our Rectory basement. Since our Conference’s humble beginning, we have grown into a unique, ecumenical St. Vincent de Paul group. Associate membership is open to all churches in our area, regardless of denomination. Our dedicated volunteers serve an area of approximately 200 square miles in Southwest St. Charles County and a small part of Warren County.
Individuals seek our help for many reasons, job loss, low incomes, illness, divorce, being homeless to name a few. We operate the food pantry in New Melle for people within our area. In addition to food, we try to help our clients with rent, utilities, and more. However, the needs of our clients would go unmet without the generous, ongoing support of our parishioners, New Melle businesses, schools, fire and police departments and all of our area churches who conduct food drives and fundraisers for us. We all work together to succeed in our mission to help those in need.
Our Society is grateful for everyone’s generosity to help us meet the challenge. May God bless everyone for all they do in His name.
For assistance or information regarding The St. Vincent de Paul Society please call (636) 398-5270, extension 225.