Catholic Community Of Pleasanton Conference

Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (or "Vincentians") strive to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to individuals in need here in Pleasanton in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and its patron, St. Vincent de Paul. The local conference is a group of parish volunteers who provide tangible assistance to their clients. The members also provide guidance to those seeking help on where they can find additional assistance such as utility financial aid programs, where they can receive a free meal, and food pantry information.

In a typical week, six to eight or more families or individuals will call the parish office asking for some form of assistance. SVDP team members meet with the individuals, learn about their situations and needs, and determine how best to help them. The conference may provide a motel room stay for someone who is homeless, Safeway gift cards for people who need food or gas, or help people pay their delinquent utility bills or rent. A key aspect of the Society charter is to provide respectful, person-to-person assistance. Ending poverty through systemic change is the mission of the national organization.

Among the assistance given last year, the CCOP SVDP conference;
  • Made 118 home visits to the needy in Pleasanton,
  • Spent over $20,000 helping 160 people with rent, motel stays or utility bills, and
  • Spent over $8,000 helping people purchase food or gasoline.

The conference also provides food baskets at Thanksgiving and Easter each year to approximately 60 - 75 client families in Pleasanton. Your non-perishable food donations are collected in the church vestibules.  The conference purchases turkeys (at Thanksgiving) or hams (at Easter)and fresh fruit; and with the help of many volunteers, it packs food baskets for the client families. The Knights of Columbus then deliver the food baskets to the families.

Once per year, the chapter sponsors “Bundle Sunday” in order to collect clothing and other articles that can be given to people in need or sold in SVDP’s resale stores around the East Bay.