The Saint Vincent de Paul Society (SVDP) is an international Catholic organization devoted to caring for the poor that was founded in Paris in 1833 by Blessed Frederick Ozanam. The society has 22 conferences in Santa Clara County. The Saint Thomas Aquinas conference was founded in 1966. We provide service to all neighbors in need regardless of race, religion or other factors. We require that the need is real and that the people we help live within the parish boundaries. 

• We help with rent and utility payment
The Palo Alto Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul assists in processing requests for rent and utility assistance and provides other emergency help to families and individuals in need.

• We help with food donations
SVDP weekly provides help with food, and  grocery gift cards to unhoused and other low-income neighbors at the parish door. One visit, per person, per month.

Persons in need should come to the Pastoral Center located at 3290 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto on Wednesdays from 3pm to 5pm. You can also call the help line (650) 424-8155 at any time and leave a message.
Your call will be returned and we will try to help as soon as volunteers are available.  
 

Want to help?

The Saint Thomas Aquinas St. Vincent de Paul Society is entirely staffed by volunteers. Our volunteers consistently find this work to be among the most fulfilling things that they do. Volunteers are free to select the times at which they can assist us so this is not a burdensome commitment. The most compelling need is for new volunteers that can assist experienced members in home visits to learn about emergency needs, to pray with and listen to our neighbors. We also hope to meet people at the Parish's office door more than one time per week as we get more volunteers. Finally, we need volunteer assistance to collect, sort, pack and store food in our pantry as well as to help us keep track of our finances and gift cards.

Curious about this rewarding service opportunity?
For more information, please call:
Gerard Vurens
cell: (408) 859-2264

We are supported by the generous donations of Saint Thomas Aquinas parishioners. Our recurring source of funding are the second collections, which occur 8 times per year.  We also are fortunate to receive year-end and other one-time donations, which can be mailed to or dropped off at the parish office, as well as online donations.

Please GIVE generously if you can and thank you in advance!

 

Widows & Widowers Group

We offer support, companionship, healing and “some fun in your life"  to anyone who has lost a spouse or has a friend who has suffered a family loss. Most members join after the initial grief recovery phase and are seeking activities suited to a single person ready to transition into social groups.

Since 2001, we have evolved into one of our parish’s most active social groups and ministries with over 60 people from Los Gatos, Half Moon Bay, East Palo Alto and Menlo Park. The group hosts many social and cultural activities in addition to monthly meetings where desserts are served. Recent activities include restaurant lunches and dinners, concerts, picnics, train outings to Giants baseball games and Reno, Filoli garden tours, stays at Pajaro Dunes, and attendance at Broadway-style shows.

The group meets:
When: the 1st Thursday of the month @ 7pm
Where: Albert the Great Hospitality Center, 1095 Channing Ave., Palo Alto
and the 3rd Thrusday of the month @ 6pm, at a designated restaurant.

See you there!