St. Vincent de Paul Society

• Answer help line calls and make home visits.
  • Current St. Vincent de Paul members will train and support you.
  • Leave a message simply stating “I am interested in learning about SVdP” or “I  would like to help” at 813-229-1595 ext. 302.
    • Leave your name and contact number and a volunteer will reach out to you within 3 business days.
• Donate during bi-weekly collections at Sacred Heart
  • In church at the end of each Mass on the second and fourth weekends of each month.
  • PayPal via the QR code above.
  • Personal check sent to the parish office (518 N. Marion St., Tampa, 33602)
    • Checks payable to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
    • State “SVDP” or “St. Vincent de Paul” on the “For” or “Reference” line.

From Power Cutoff to Compassionate Care

A family with small children was struggling to keep up with bills when their electricity was  cut off during the Florida summer. Without power, the home quickly became uncomfortable and unsafe for the children. Desperate, they called our help line. That same day, our Vincentian team arrived, assessed the situation, prayed with the family, and paid TECO to have the power restored so the family could stay safe and cool.

From Floodwaters to a Fresh Start

Parents of two small children were flooded out by recent hurricanes and placed in a hotel near our church, but when their voucher ran out, FEMA secured long-term housing 15 miles away. Their car had been wrecked, leaving them no way to move themselves or their belongings. Unsure where to turn, they reached out to our help line. Our Vincentian team arrived with two SUVs, and transported them and their belongings to their new home so they could begin again.

From Eviction Notice to New Beginnings

A young family moved to Tampa for a better life, but when the father lost his job, they fell behind on rent and faced eviction with two small children. He eventually found work and secured affordable housing, but didn’t have enough for the security deposit. Within days, our Vincentian team met them, prayed with them, and worked with the landlord so the family could start fresh.

As a volunteer, you’ll work in a team of 2 or 3, answering calls, talking with people in need, and visiting them in their homes to listen and pray with them. You’ll help assess their situations, look over budgets, and handle the paperwork to pay bills directly to TECO, landlords, or other agencies so families can stay safe and secure.

Thanks to the blessed generosity of Sacred Heart Church parishioners last year, St. Vincent DePaul at Sacred Heart Church provided over $63,000 of assistance to the needy in our parish community. Your donations serve others in our community every week:

• • Up to $50 for bus passes helping people reach work or medical appointments
  • Up to $200 in grocery gift cards for food, medicine, and other essentials
  • Up to $750 to pay utility bills and keep lights and water on
  • Up to $500 in partnership with our thrift store for clothing, beds, or basic furniture needs which are delivered by the thrift store
  • Up to $1,200 to cover rent or security deposits and prevent eviction

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store of Tampa is not run by Sacred Heart Church but works in partnership with our local St. Vincent de Paul district. Our parish contributes volunteers. We invite you to shop at the store located at 12310 N. Nebraska Avenue, between Fowler and Fletcher. Learn more here.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul traces its roots to 1833 in Paris, when a young law student, Frédéric Ozanam, and a group of friends began helping the poor inspired by the teachings of St. Vincent de Paul, a 17th-century French priest renowned for his compassion and service to the needy. From these humble beginnings, the society grew into a worldwide lay Catholic organization dedicated to offering direct help to those in need, with members—called Vincentians—serving communities through person-to-person assistance, home visits, and systemic change efforts. Today, the society operates in over 150 countries, continuing its nearly two-century tradition of charity and hope. Learn more here.