St. Vincent de Paul Society-Ozanam Center
Help us fill our freezers back up!
We had empty freezers at the end of our shift this past Saturday at the Ozanam Center. We try to give every client two meat items — usually a bag of frozen chicken and something else — but supplies of free items have been limited.
Thanks to the generosity of our parishioners, we've been able to order other items to make sure our clients get something for their families.
Thank you in advance for your cash donations each month!
"No act of charity is foreign to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul."
This phrase is in the Rulebook, and for many of us, it is THE guiding tenet of what we do.
Clients and neighbors of all ages frequently ask for incontinence products for both the young in age and the young in heart, so when the budget allows... we stock up! Thanks to the generosity of our member parishes, we have (for now!) ample supplies of this important (and costly) product.
Your generous monthly donations help keep us in stock, so thank you!
The St. Vincent de Paul Society thanks the parishioners of the Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus for their donations last year totaling $6,526.98! Fabulous!
These donations have allowed the St. John Paul Ozanam Center to continue to serve as a valuable community resource to numerous men, women, children and seniors who would otherwise go hungry.
The SVDP's seven main hunger centers and parish based food pantries are lifelines to many neighbors struggling with poverty.
Each year they provide some 120,000 people in need with emergency food supplies in addition to hearty prepared hot meals.
God bless you!
The John Paul II Ozanam Center is located on the grounds of Holy Name Church in Cleveland, Ohio. The Center, which is staffed by members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, provides emergency food, clothing and other forms of assistance to those living in the 44105, 44125 and 44127 zip codes. The Center also provides limited assistance to those needing furniture for their residences and can, as funds are available, offer one-time assistance to those needing help with utility bills.
The Center came into existence due to the efforts of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Pastors of the Slavic Village parishes- St. Stanislaus, Holy Name and St. John Nepomucene. The Pastors wanted to create a single place where families in need could come for assistance. The St. Vincent de Paul Society, wanted to more fully re-establish its presence in the city while fulfilling its Mission to serve the poor and needy.
Vincentians were able to renovate a formerly underutilized space in the Holy Name parish complex and created a facility that has a Food Distribution area, Clothing Distribution area, Interview Area and storage space.
The John Paul II Ozanam Center is supported by members of the following parishes: St. Stanislaus, Holy Name, St. John Nepomucene, Holy Spirit, St. Columbkille, St. Barnabas, St. Rita, St. Joseph, St. Mary of the Falls, St. Michael and St. Matthias.
The parish community of The Shrine Church St. Stanislaus supports the operations of the Center through a monthly collection -- the last weekend of the month - of which the funds are used to purchase food products and support the upkeep of the Center. Parishioners are also encouraged to bring in baby clothes and related items, soap, and food products. These items can be put into the collection baskets located in the vestibule.
Parishioners are encouraged to volunteer at the Ozanam Center, and they find it to be a rewarding experience. Moreover, young people of the parish needing community service hours receive credit by doing volunteer work.
Food and Clothing Distribution: Every Saturday (except holiday weekends) from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Noon)
Food items usually include canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned soup, peanut butter, jelly, canned pork and beans, a box of potatoes or rice, pasta, pasta sauce, macaroni & cheese, cereal, soap or personal care products, and if available, desserts, fresh produce, bread products and frozen meat.
A school supply drop off takes place before the start of school. In winter clothing giveaways take place.
Hot Meals: Every Thursday of the month from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. The meal is served in Haren Hall, located below the church.
More than 450 people are served every month.
