75th Anniversary Fundraiser
Help SVdP Celebrate 75 Years of Service in Santa Clara County
In 1948, 25 Vincentians from the Diocese of San Francisco noticed that Santa Clara County’s needy families were underserved. They banded together and in May 1948, incorporated the Council of St. Vincent de Paul of Santa Clara County. Back in 1948 the need was mainly focused on food and rent, but with the average home cost of $3,500 most people were able to make ends meet. Fast forward 75-years and the average home cost in San Jose is a whopping $1,279,000! The population in 1948 was 290,000; in 2023 the population is 1,982,645. With current inflation at 6% and rent over $3,000/month, more and more people are seeking assistance and at risk of becoming homeless.
In 2022, St Vincent de Paul of Santa Clara County provided over $1.5M in direct financial assistance to the needy in our community with over 52% going to rent/shelter, 10% to utilities, 11% to food, and 27% to miscellaneous needs like healthcare, transportation and clothing. Our network has grown from 25 volunteers to over 500 volunteers spread across Santa Clara County.
Our Work Must Continue
We give our sincerest thanks for your past support but our work is not done. Over 10,020 people are unhoused in Santa Clara County. A study out of the California Budget and Policy Center calculated that the poverty rate in Santa Clara County soars to 18% when factoring in housing costs, meaning nearly one in five residents live in poverty. Please help us continue our mission of helping the needy and unhoused until all people have enough food and shelter to live with dignity in our community.
You can help by joining our Challenge
In honor of our Anniversary, SVdP has been challenged to raise $75,000 in 75 days. If we meet this goal, an anonymous donor will match the contributions with another $75,000. We are reaching out to you as a long time and devoted supporter to request your help. One hundred percent of all donations collected during this 75th Anniversary appeal will be used to provide housing, utilities assistance, transportation, and food to needy families in Santa Clara County.
Please mail your donation to: Society of St. Vincent de Paul of SCC
P.O. Box 5579
San Jose, CA 95150
If you wish to donate securely online, [Click Here]