When did our conference begin serving the local community?

• Since 2003.  We served our first client on April 9, 2003, and our Food Pantry opened in December 2004

How/Why was the Mother Teresa Conference organized?

·       This conference evolved out of a Social Justice Discussion Group.  The group recognized the need for our Parish to reach out directly to those less fortunate in our local community.  Forming a conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul gave us an effective way to do this.

Who do we help and how are donations spent?

·       Families & individuals in Rogers, Lowell, & Parishioners regardless of location.

·       Home visits are done with all families requesting assistance by two members of the conference.

·       Food (Food Pantry): 27%  Rent:  18%  Utilities: 50%  Other:  5%  (Rx, fuel, transportation, etc)

·       Funds are used to help people become self-sufficient again.  (Empowering Support)

·       Average amount of assistance per family/individual:  $100-200

·       95% of donations received are used to help those in need.  (5% administrative costs)

Number of Families/Individuals helped:

·       2003: 60    2004: 63       2005: 161      2006:  255            2007:  331     2008:  341    2009:  440    2010:  481

Where do the donations to our conference come from?

·       50% Black Bag collections (quarterly collections from parishioners)

·       32% General donations

·       10% Fund raisers (Friends of the Poor Walk, coat sale)

·       5% Others

·       Food donations from parishioners, vendors, and corporations.

Food Pantry - Families Served:

2005        1,032

2006        2,348

2007        4,144

2008        6,792

2009        9,217

2010        9,463