ST. VINCENT’S WAY ST. VINCENT’S WAY
With Grateful Hearts, We Celebrate!
The Fall Fellowship Awards give us a chance to say “thank you” to some truly outstanding Vincentians and staff members. These honorees show us what gratitude in action looks like, serving with joy, compassion, and a whole lot of heart. We’re blessed by their example and excited to lift them up in celebration.
FIRES OF FAITH AWARD
Glenda Carota
St. Joseph Church Conference
OZANAM AWARD
Beverley Ramsey Insurance Navigator
TOP HAT AWARD
Kathy Michel
Nativity Conference
EMMAUS AWARD – STORES
Mallory Holden
Manager, Milford Thrift Store
EMMAUS AWARD – PHARMACY
Katie Owens
Pharmacy Manager
EMMAUS AWARD – SOCIETY
Tom Roberts
Director of Conference
Engagement and St. William Conference
Dear Friends,
As we approach Thanksgiving, I’ve been reflecting on the many faces of gratitude. Often, we think of gratitude as the feeling of someone who has received help. But at St. Vincent de Paul, we see that gratitude flows in both directions. When neighbors are lifted up, those who serve are also changed, strengthened by the encounter and renewed in their own faith.
Every day, I hear stories of staff, volunteers, and Vincentians who are grateful for the opportunity to care for their neighbors. In serving others, we deepen our shared humanity and encounter Jesus, which are gifts worthy of thanks. This mindset echoes Psalm 100:4, which tells us to enter the presence of the Lord in gratitude.
This year, more neighbors are reaching out for help. The rising cost of groceries, housing, and utilities leaves many families facing choices no one should have to make. Yet even in the face of growing need, I remain filled with gratitude because of you.
Your generosity ensures that we can keep families in their homes, put food on their tables, and provide medicine that saves lives.
I often think of the quiet transformations that happen in these moments. A mother no longer has to worry where her children will sleep. A father who lost hours at work no longer has to choose between groceries and keeping the lights on. Each act of generosity not only changes a circumstance, it restores hope, renews dignity, and reminds our neighbors they are not alone.
This fall, may our hearts be open to gratitude in every direction. May we recognize God’s presence in the lives of those we serve, and may we
“I always leave here feeling better”
A Story of Gratitude in Our Choice Food Pantry
For Rob and Sally Taylor, Saturdays at St. Vincent de Paul’s Catino Choice Food Pantry are about more than stocking shelves; they’re about gratitude, dignity, and connection.
Rob fondly remembers helping a mother shop for her family. At the end of her visit, she said, “Thank you for making me feel good. I always leave here feeling better than I did when I arrived.” For her, it wasn’t just
about the food in her cart, it was about being treated with kindness and respect.
Moments like this remind Rob and Sally why they keep coming back. They began volunteering through their parish, Christ the King, but it grew into a regular rhythm at the Catino Choice Food Pantry that brings them both joy and purpose.
“Selfishly, we leave the pantry feeling better than when we
arrived,” Rob says. “It lifts us up, too.”
The Taylors know that volunteers don’t just hand out groceries; they share hope. And they’re grateful for the friendships they’ve built with fellow volunteers and neighbors along the way.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Molly Spitzer
Volunteer Coordinator
As the Volunteer Coordinator at St. Vincent de Paul, I get to connect one of our most valuable resources—our volunteers—to the heart of our mission. Every person has a story, and I love learning why a particular program resonates with them. Giving tours
to potential volunteers has quickly become one of my favorite parts of the role, because it allows me to highlight the many ways SVDP serves our neighbors and to see sparks of passion ignite in real time.
My work also takes me into the community, recruiting on local campuses like UC and Cincinnati State, and even presenting at a college’s service-learning day where
We need more volunteers, especially in our Pantry and Call Center. If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, now is the time. Your presence can help fill shelves, answer calls, and restore hope. Visit svdpcincinnati.org/volunteer to learn more.
students chose SVDP pantries for their volunteer experience. Whether through an email from someone eager to serve or an in-person connection, I get to see the very best of people every day.
So much to be
Whetherswinging bats, swinging golf clubs, or swinging open the doors of a brand-new thrift store, this summer was full of moments that filled us with gratitude. Together, we celebrated community, created joy, and built hope for neighbors in need.
Strike Out Hunger was another homerun this year, with generous Cincinnati Reds fans putting up big numbers: 2,882 people donated 9,479 pounds of food and raised $50,000. That’s 21,523 meals for neighbors in need! The Catino Choice Food Pantry serves between 100-130 families a day, so this event helped meet an ever-growing need.
Plenty of partners stepped up to the plate too! Thank you to the Reds, Kroger, WLWT, iHeart, and 700WLW for helping us feed our neighbors.
Our first Prescription for Hope Happy Hour was a debut to remember! Thanks to attendees’ generosity, we raised over $21,000 for St. Vincent de Paul’s Charitable Pharmacy. That translates to over $231,000 worth of free, life-saving medications given to patients who could not otherwise access them. During the event, we also presented the Pillar of Hope Award to WCPO 9 News in recognition of their consistent support of our mission.
be grateful for!
PRESCRIPTION FOR E FU N 18-HOLE
THRIFT STORES
The grand opening of our ninth Thrift Store in Hamilton was a record-breaking success! The 24,000-square-foot store— our third largest—welcomed hundreds of shoppers and set an all-time high for opening weekend sales. More than 60 new jobs were created, affordable goods are now available to families in the area, and every purchase fuels our mission of serving neighbors in need. Truly, this new store builds community in more ways than one.
Charitable Golf Outing
Our annual golf outing at Western Hills Country Club was a hole-in-one for neighbors in need of life-saving medications! Thanks to the generosity of golfers, donors, volunteers, and sponsors, we raised over $114,000 for St. Vincent de Paul’s Charitable Pharmacy. Because every $1 donated provides $11 worth of medication, that means this single event delivered an incredible $1.25 million in prescriptions to neighbors who would otherwise go without.
A heartfelt thank you to Western Hills Country Club, our tireless volunteers, and our presenting sponsors, Protective and PhRMA, for making this day of golf and generosity such a success.
This August, 50 children in Greater Cincinnati received brand-new beds during our Hope to Dream distribution event, complete with bedding, stuffed animals, and the joy of finally having a safe place to sleep. Just days later, our Hope to Dream Telethon with WCPO 9 raised an incredible $65,527, enough to provide 374 more beds for children who would otherwise be sleeping on the floor.
Thanks to Morris Home, WCPO 9, and our generous community, more than 400 children now have a place to dream big.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Cincinnati
RetroFittings: 20 Years of Fashion, Fun, and Fueling the Mission
Soon after Bonita Arnette joined the RetroFittings Boutique Committee, she discovered what a unique community it was and that the work felt a little like treasure hunting.
“I pretty quickly realized that people give a lot of good stuff!” she shares. “For last year’s Boutique, I found an original black Chanel wool skirt. I spent a lot of time shaving it and bringing it back to life. It was fun to find something vintage and resurrect it so that someone else could wear it.”
This year marks the 20th anniversary of RetroFittings, an event that blends sustainability, innovation, and service. At its heart are students from University of Cincinnati’s College
of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP), who transform thrifted clothing from SVDP stores into bold runway looks for an evening of high fashion and fundraising. Guests also enjoy dinner, drinks, a silent auction, a raffle, and of course, the Boutique, where items curated by Bonita and her fellow committee members are sold to support SVDP programs.
“For example,” says Bonita, “I’m taking home jean jackets and modernizing them—taking off collars, cuffs, sewing on buttons, so that we can sell a good piece.”
Preparation starts months in advance, with the Boutique Committee sourcing and restoring
RetroFashion Week: Shop, Save & Style
GET RUNWAY-READY without breaking the bank! From October 13–23, all red-tagged items at our Thrift Stores will be 50% off.
It’s the perfect chance to flex your creativity. Hunt for hidden gems, piece together your most
fashion-forward outfit, and wear it proudly at RetroFittings.
You’ll look great, feel great, and support a great cause, because every purchase fuels St. Vincent de Paul’s mission to serve neighbors in need.
pieces, and even hosting donation parties with friends. “We invite them over to one of the gal’s houses and we do a wine and cheese party and everybody brings clothes to donate,” Bonita explains.
For Bonita, the best part is knowing the impact extends far beyond the runway. “By far, the best part of RetroFittings is the fact that the funds are going to neighbors, right back to the local community. It’s the main reason that I volunteer on the Boutique Committee. The social aspect is great too. We have a tightknit group of gals who enjoy each other’s company, and we have a lot of fun with it.”
Join us on October 23 for an unforgettable night of bold design, creative reuse, and gratitude in action. Learn more at RetroFittings.org.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Help neighbors be Home for the Holidays
From food and coats to toys and gift cards, your generosity relieves the financial pressures that can push families to the edge of homelessness. Thank you for helping more of our neighbors remain safe, stable, and truly Home for the Holidays.
Trunk or Treat
October
25
At St. Vincent de Paul, even Halloween is a chance to share joy and gratitude. On October 25, our Trunk or Treat will bring children from the West End together for an afternoon of games, costumes, and festive fun at the Liz Carter Center. You can serve by joining the celebration—dressing up, decorating your trunk, and passing out candy—or by donating candy ahead of time to ensure every child has a sweet experience to take home. Volunteer or donate: oscheper@svdpcincinnati.org.
Double Your Donation Day
November 13
Your generosity is impactful year-round, but on November 13, you can double your impact! Give during this one-day donation event and double the number of neighbors we can help with food, shelter, medicine, clothing, and other vital essentials. Every dollar raised helps to prevent homelessness and provide hope, just in time for the holidays. More details about Double Your Donation Day are coming soon.
Winter Coat Drive
October – January
Cincinnati winters are cold, and a warm coat can make all the difference. For families already struggling to cover rent, food, and utilities, the added cost of buying winter gear can be overwhelming, especially as children outgrow their coats year after year. Our Coat Drive collects new and gently used coats, hats, mittens, scarves, and other cold-weather gear so families can stay warm. Host a drive, drop off items, or volunteer at our distribution events on November 8 and December 9. Volunteer or donate: SVDPcincinnati.org/coats.
Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Distributions
November 25 & December 18
Our Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Distributions make it possible for our neighbors in need to enjoy festive meals at home together. From turkeys and sides at Thanksgiving to special treats for Christmas, these programs help provide food for holiday meals so parents can stretch their limited resources to cover other essentials. Volunteers are needed to prepare food boxes in advance and to serve on event days by welcoming neighbors, checking families in, and helping carry food. Sign up: email volunteers@SVDPcincinnati.org.
Christmas Together
November – December
Much like the experience in our Choice Food Pantry, Christmas Together invites parents to take part in the joy of choosing—selecting the gifts they know will bring delight to their children on Christmas morning. While parents shop, children enjoy crafts and activities. Donate toys, host a drive, or volunteer to stock toys ahead of time or to help during shopping days. Get involved: email volunteers@SVDPcincinnati.org.
Teepe Family Foundation Giving Tree
December
7
The Giving Tree helps ease holiday expenses for families by providing $400 in store and restaurant gift cards. Thanks to the generosity of the Teepe Family Foundation, festive trees are assembled and delivered to families served by SVDP. Sponsor a tree or help to assemble and deliver trees on December 7. Learn more: teepefamilyfund.org/giving-tree.
Every gift goes twice as far! For one day only, your donation will be matched, providing twice the meals, twice the medicine, and twice the hope to our neighbors in need. NOV. 13
