Editor's Note: The following article was submitted to San Mateo Patch by Jodie Penner. To submit an article for publication, please e-mail laura.dudnick@patch.com.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of San Mateo County (SVdP) is grateful to our local community supporters who believe in our mission, helping our neighbors in need. SVdP thanks the San Mateo Elks Lodge for donating close to 1,400 much needed items to our Homeless Help Center in San Mateo for a second year in a row.
Elks Lodge members happily brought us much needed T-shirts, socks, gloves, toothbrushes and the ever popular and needed tuna. SVdP’s Homeless Help Centers served over 100,000 meals a year and healthy protein is important which is why lots of tuna is necessary – those we serve are very grateful! Men’s undershirts are important basics and often requested, the women’s sock drawer was almost empty with only four pairs left, and the women’s camisoles are a true treat this holiday season.
SVdP’s Homeless Help Center’s mission is to help our brothers and sisters who are persistently unstably housed with basic survival necessities, such as a hot meal and food, clothing, sleeping bags, bus tokens, identification cards, laundry, mail service, and daily vouchering for beds in San Mateo County shelters – ensuring that human dignity is offered, basic human needs are met, and compassion is shown.
During this holiday season, the Elks, where Charity Is Our Pledge, and Families Are Our Future, have chosen SVdP as one of the local charities they are helping with basic necessities. We appreciate the Elks showing compassion in action for our brothers and sisters who are persistently, unstably housed and are appreciative of working together to better our community. This caring collaboration for the neediest in our midst helps our community grow and prosper and captures the thankfulness and spirit of the holiday season.
First picture of the crew in front of the SVdP Thrift Store and Homeless Help Center on B Streets: L-R Pete Cerri (San Mateo Elk), John Swan (San Mateo Elk), Mary Kmak (SVdP Homeless Help Center volunteer & Treasurer of the Conference), Quentin Olwell (SVdP Homeless Help Center volunteer & President of the Conference), Mike McQueen (San Mateo Elk), and Roger Cutler (San Mateo Elk) with their needed donations.
