CEDAR LAKE – The Friends of the Poor Walk took place for the 18th year, held at Lemon Lake County Park on Sept. 27. The annual event is an opportunity for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) conferences to raise funds to be used in their communities and creates awareness of the services provided by the ministry.
Mike Martinelli, current council president, often works the grill, cooking hamburgers and hot dogs, on the day of the walk and the fellowship picnic. He explained the Friends of the Poor Walk started in 2008, and continues to be a national event in which Vincentians from all over the United States participate.
“All the money raised stays in your conference to help our neighbors-in-need,” he said. “The walk is a great way to support your conference.”
Cathy Gilman, of Gary, became a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul many years ago through her neighborhood parish, St. Ann. Her friend introduced her to the council and she stated “it’s been pure joy” calling it “a wonderful mission. I can’t imagine not doing it.”
“It seemed like such a worthwhile ministry, and I've been with them ever since,” Gilman said. “I love the idea of us being able to help others in need because we've all been in a situation at some time or another. Sometimes you need that little boost, you need that little help, and doing God's work is what it's all about.”
Gilman believes she has been participating in the Walk for the Poor since its inception or perhaps a few years after. Once she retired, she became more active in the event, bringing her family to the walk and spreading the word while inviting others to join.
“I've enjoyed it and the chemistry with everybody at the walks,” Gilman explained. “Our mission is the same, and we just love the camaraderie. The fact that we're able to get extra help with our food pantries, the money comes back to us, it's just great. It's just phenomenal. It's just a blessing to be involved in it.”
Joan Miller was introduced to SVDP at a St. James parish ministry fair about 25 years ago. She attended a meeting and was so impressed with the members' untiring efforts to help neighbors in need.
Now living in Michigan, the walk allows Miller the chance to see all her Vincentian friends. She said Lemon Lake provides a beautiful setting and the potluck lunch for more fellowship time.
“Last year over $20,000 was raised during the walk,” Miller said. “We have faith that our donors will keep helping us help others.”
Diane McKern was recently voted in as new council president for the next three years. She will take on that role at the council meeting on Oct. 19 at Ss. Cyril and Methodius in North Judson. There will be a commitment ceremony that will be held at the beginning of the meeting.
“I have served in SVDP for 44 years and more than half of that time has been in leadership,” she said. “It has been a wonderful ministry to serve our Lord through. I am very blessed with an awesome family of Vincentians that have the Holy Spirit flowing freely through them to embrace the needs of our neighbors in need and serve them to the best of their abilities. They truly see the face of Christ in the people we serve.”
McKern shared that SVDP conferences are being hit hard with calls from all over the diocese for financial assistance for utilities and housing. She explained there are few resources available in the communities for this type of assistance. Catholic Charities and the SVDP conferences, she said, are the main source for this assistance and funds have been down. Thankfully, the SVDP council has received a grant from the Sacred Heart Foundation for $50,000.
“These funds will probably not last until the end of the year with the high volume of appeals we are receiving,” McKern said. “The price of food, essentials, gas and electricity and housing have risen tremendously. Many of the programs that assisted people in crisis last year have been affected by the government cuts on the federal level and trickled down to our communities.”
There are 18 SVDP food pantries scattered throughout Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Starke Counties. For more information, visit https://societyofstvincentdepauldistri.com.
CAPS FOR KIDS
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, District Council of Gary, in conjunction with the Diocese of Gary Communication Office, is collecting new or handmade hats, scarves and gloves for its Caps for Kids campaign. Now through January they will accept contributions for children of all ages at the Pastoral Center, 9292 Broadway in Merrillville.
Monetary donations for the purchase of these much-needed items are also being accepted. Please make checks payable to: Caps for Kids/St. Vincent de Paul, 2714 169th St., Hammond, IN 46323.
