2021 Annual Report

DEAR FRIENDS,

Neighbors who turn to St. Vincent de Paul for assistance often face situations that are decidedly complicated, but are unfortunately common, as far too many in our community experience great levels of need. Some do not know where their next meal will come from. Others are struggling to pay their bills after losing shifts at work. Many are facing eviction and are on the verge of losing a stable home. This was the reality before the pandemic and continues to be the reality, at a heightened level, today.

While the need for assistance is great, the good news is this – so is the generosity of people like you. You helped provide nourishment through the groceries distributed to shoppers at our Becky and Ted Catino Choice Food Pantry. You helped provide comfort through fans and air conditioners in the summer and coats, hats and scarves in the winter. You helped provide relief by paying rent and utility bills that kept thousands of families in their homes. More than anything, you helped provide hope and help, reinforcing the inherent dignity of each person who called on us for aid.

The year 2021 was, by all means, extraordinary. Our thrift stores welcomed many new and returning customers – resulting in more merchandise being sold than ever before. At our Don & Phyllis Neyer Outreach Center, after 15 months of serving neighbors curbside and over the phone, we reopened walk-in services in July, providing more opportunities for person-to-person service. And, as we continued to receive a high number of calls from neighbors needing assistance, we provided over $3.5 million in rent and utilities assistance -- $1.4 million more than we provided in fiscal year 2020.

As we faced the challenges of another pandemic year in 2021, we also continued to piece together new plans for our future. You can read more about that on pages 12-14, as we lay out exciting additions for our Charitable Pharmacy – and, as we debut our Clothing & Home Resource Center, a new space dedicated to providing free clothing, beds and other household goods to our neighbors.

It does not escape us that this organization would not have the capacity to serve so many, nor the ability to look to the future, without the tremendous help of our supporters. Our Vincentians, our volunteers, our community partners, our donors – YOU truly bring our mission to life. You are there for our neighbors in times of uncertainty, when there may be seemingly no other options, and nowhere else to turn to for help.

While the future still remains unclear, we are certain that as long as there is need, there will be people like you, raising their hands to help. For that, we sincerely thank you.

Mike Dunn, Executive Director

Alison Zlatic, President, Cincinnati District Council