Our Society exists for all adults interested in helping the poor and in developing their own spirituality to see Christ in those we serve.  We started at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in the early 1970s.

Our outreach interviews families who may have electrical shutoffs, evictions, and relocation assistance requests every non-holiday weekend.  We work in conjunction with other St. Vincent de Paul societies in the area, as well as local agencies, to assist families in Kalamazoo County. In some cases, we partner with St Catherine's to help our own parishioners.

Financial Aid from St Vincent de Paul at St Catherine of Siena Church

We provide financial assistance with utility shut-off notices, evictions, and help for some relocations.  We have returned to in-person interviews on Saturdays; we are no longer doing phone interviews.  For a printable/downloadable PDF document explaining our in-person interview process and requirements, please click here. 

Interviews are held at the Stanley Centre building (behind the main church building).
• We see the first 10 families, 1 family per car.
• Sign-in starts at 8 am, and interviews begin at 8:30 am.
• Please park in one of the 10 designated spaces in front of the Stanley Centre building.
• We interview only 10 families beginning with parking space 1.
• Stay in your vehicle until it is your turn
• You must wear a mask covering your nose and mouth during your interview.

You must have the following information for us to assist you:
• Photo ID of the person being interviewed AND the person whose name is on the bill.
• For utility assistance, you need your shut-off notice.
• For evictions, you need your Notice to Quit, Demand for Payment, or Court Summons, and the name, phone number, and address of your landlord.
• For relocation assistance, you need the name, address, and phone number of the prospective landlord, your new address, and a document showing the amount needed to move in.
• You need copies of pledges you have already received.

Thanksgiving Basket Distribution:
Our biggest project is our Thanksgiving basket distribution. The parishioners of St Catherine's donate food and money to purchase and fill 100 baskets for Thanksgiving dinner for families in need. Names are received from those who sign up through the Portage Outreach Center, South County Services, and families that are recommended to us in our own parish. Together with our St Vincent members, our parish families sort, pack, and deliver the baskets of food.