St. Vincent de Paul continues to play a vital role in supporting people in need across Norfolk County, providing food, meals, and hope to hundreds each month.
Vice President Joan Pringle says the volunteer-run organization focuses on meeting basic needs through a community kitchen program, but it doesn’t end there.
St. Vincent de Paul has no paid staff and relies entirely on donations and the work of about 75 volunteers.
The community kitchen operates out of Trinity Anglican Church on Colborne Street in Simcoe from September to April, serving three-course meals several days a week.
Pringle says attendance often increases during colder weather as people seek warmth, food, and connection. These figures do not include the Emergency Food Delivery Program, which supports more than 300 adults and about 150 children each month.
In addition, St. Vincent de Paul runs a Christmas hamper program that provides food and holiday essentials to approximately 150 individuals this year. Hampers include items such as coffee, hot chocolate, peanut butter, canned vegetables, toiletries, and hygiene products. When possible, organizers also add Christmas cookies or chocolates, along with pancake mix, spaghetti and sauce, a ham, potatoes, milk, cereal, and soup.
Community support remains strong, with recent donations coming from local schools, businesses, churches, and individual donors.
Recent donations include canned and dry goods, along with more than $2,000 from employees at Essex Solutions. Additional support came from Trius Royal LePage through a monetary donation, and Malo Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, which once again provided toothbrushes for everyone on St. Vincent de Paul’s Christmas list.
Monetary donations can be made by e-transfer to ssvpstmarysconference@gmail.com or dropped off at the Community Kitchen between 9 a.m. and noon on service days. The Community Kitchen and Emergency Food Delivery Program will close for the holidays on Friday, December 19, and reopen Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
St. Vincent de Paul wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year and those in need of assistance, can call 1-855-561-4184.
Written by Jeremy Hall