Spring Cleaning Donations

Now that I'm implementing my cleaning schedule to keep a clean house, I'm regularly decluttering as well.  If I were really ambitious, I might consider trying 40 Bags in 40 Days like my mother-in-law.  

When I declutter or go through my closet, I usually pile up the clothes and other things to donate and give them to my local Goodwill.  

Instead of heading off to Goodwill this time around, I decided to call around and see if there were any Catholic organizations in need of my donations--gently used furniture, lamps, clothes, etc.  Sure enough, I learned about several local groups in need of all different kinds of donations.       

One such organization is the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.  The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has thrift stores and food pantries nationwide.  You can find your local Society of St. Vincent de Paul thrift store or food pantry here.  

My local Society of St. Vincent de Paul even offers residential pick-up of your donations.  If you call your local chapter, you can set up a time for the Society's truck to pick up your items and haul them away.  This is a great option for those who have little ones or who don't have a large car to haul items like furniture down to the warehouse.  

Your material and monetary donations help the Vincentians (members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul) serve the poor.  Specifically, here's how the Society of St. Vincent de Paul helps the poor in your community:

Donations help provide direct assistance to the poor in local communities throughout the United States.  Vincentians meet face to face with the poor to assess their needs.  Some of the needs addressed by Vincentians include: housing and utiltiy assistance; job training and placement; and access to food, clothing, transportation and medical care.  The National Council also makes grants to the local Conferences/Councils through its Domestic Disaster Relief Grants and the Friends of the Poor Grant Programs.  There are many ways in which you can donate.  Please click on the DONATE ONLINE button to make your selection.  Your donation is also tax deductible.   

If you've already gotten rid of your spring cleaning donations, think about your pantry.  Start cleaning out your pantry the day before you go to the grocery store.  Identify extras or items you will not be able to consume before they expire, and bag them up for your local Society of St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.  My parish distributes paper bags for parishoners to take and return full of non-perishable food items that church volunteers take to the pantry the first Sunday of each month.  Consider bringing this practice to your parish if it isn't there already.

This is just one example of ways that you can easily help the poor in your local community through a Catholic organization.  What are some other Catholic groups you help with your time, treasure, or talent?  Please share your ideas and experiences!