SVdP is making a difference, and making changes!

Hello Friends,
On October 15, 2021, SVdP acquired the property at 2415 & 2417 East High St. In order to meet our growing neighbor, administrative, and volunteer needs, SVdP purchased this facility outright, made possible by generous donors, prudent financial planning, and the recent sale of a Vincentian-owned rental property. The SVdP Council is also planning upgrades on our existing buildings . We are excited to expand our services to our neighbors in need. Please see the background on this opportunity and the wish list as it’s outgrowth.

A recent assessment by SVdP Board, Trustees, business mentors, and contractors, validated the acquisition of a more accessible facility to enhance and expand our services. The assessment also prioritized essential repairs and upgrades necessary at our thrift center, and repurposing of the current pantry.

SVdP’s Board decision to acquire 2415/2417 E. High St. will:
• Accommodate the increasing needs of our senior volunteers and impoverished neighbors, many that struggle with steps and need other handicap access.
• Move food and other equipment to one floor, to lessen the physical strain on our volunteers.
• Reestablish our Choice pantry and our tradition of one-on-one assistance with neighbors.
• Make our Emergency Intake offices more efficient to resume with one-on-one assistance with neighbors.
• Regroup and restore thrift store space after relocating pantry equipment and supplies stored there.
• Gain 19 more parking spaces. Currently, parking is limited.

SVdP invites you to help us in this process wherever you choose. (See SVdP Facilities “Wish list” attached).
Let us collaborate as a spiritual community, echoing the voices of our poor; and modeling the values of charity, and social justice. Any questions, great ideas, or concerns about this project can be directed to SVdP Board members and Trustees. We will continue to update our community as this project unfolds.

A little background- St. Vincent de Paul Society’s (SVdP) ministry to neighbors in need includes emergency assistance, food, shelter, and clothing through Food Pantries, Walk-in assistance, and Thrift Stores at six Conferences among Clark and Logan Counties. While independent of the National SVdP with Springfield District Council’s 501-C3 status, our Council still follows “the Rule“ of the “Vincentian” society as it collaborates with public service organizations and other Faith groups. Traditionally, SVdP has been blessed to accept some federal monies for emergency Covid relief and supportive housing. That said, SVdP has primarily been supported by the generosity of volunteers, parishioners, private donors, and community and private grants. Vincentians have always considered person-to-person service integral to the needs of our impoverished neighbors. During the Covid crisis, SVdP was forced to adapt all food, clothing, emergency assistance, and walk-in assistance. Services continue but have not resumed to the in-house, person-to-person interactions that define SVdP. Further SVdP needs safer, more accessible facilities; senior volunteers are finding it difficult to navigate our old facilities, (such as, carrying cases of canned foods on the narrow basement steps). Finally, because of space and storage constraints, our thrift center has restricted its extremely high volume of generous donations, still remaining completely over crowded. This opportunity will allow us to reconfigure all of our facilities to better accommodate volunteers and neighbors in need.

In spirituality, friendship, and service,

SVdP Springfield District Council Board
Casey K Rollins, President/E.D.
Patty Cafferty, VP
Molly Roberts Baldwin, Secretary
Matthew Frawley, Treasurer
Debora Cooper, CFO
SVdP Wish List 2021- Interested in donating time, talent, or treasure?

228 Raffensperger Current SVdP Pantry
-Many of the window framing’s need to be strengthened. Additionally, the window and corner trims need repair/replacement.
-Existing siding is too weak to except paint or holding fasteners it should be removed and new substrate be installed before vinyl siding be installed. Note: if siding is removed, there is a blown in insulation that would escape and need replacement.
-Main kitchen area and the upstairs bathroom Receptacles need to be upgraded to ground fault receptacles.
-Front sidewalk on Raffensperger from the front porch concrete needs repair/replacement.
-Replace second floor carpeting.
-Upgrade the landscaping around the entire house.u
2425 E. High St., SVdP Thrift Center
-The flat roof on the high Street side has areas that need to be reinforced, currently no collecting water ponding. The ponding and then holds leaves and dirt.
-The rear side facia is rotting from leaf build up in the gutter and has pulled away, exposing the wall to water. The facia needs to be replaced. If completed soon, the gutter and downspouts may be salvaged. Both front and rear spouting are old and deteriorating.
-There is a hole in the cement block wall that needs to be repaired. It appears to be the result of a car backing into the neighbors parking area.
-The cement block wall by the overhead door is vertically broken for several feet and needs to be repaired.
-Repair front steps which are pulling away from the building.
-The pantry refrigerator inside the 10 foot overhead door Need to be relocated to the high Street pantry
-Additional Pantry storage in the store needs to be relocated as well.
-Upgrade/repair HVAC.
-Replace flooring in retail space. Purchase new clothing racks. Replace delivery truck.
2415/2417 East High Street Pantry & Emergency Assistance facility
-Replace tar & gravel roof of the entire building
-Repair/replace HVAC in smoke shop space
-Remove carpet flooring and polish the floor
-Configure the electrical so I’ll freezers are connected uniformly
-Repair ceiling where security doors we’re installed and smoke shop space
-install security cameras
-Determine & install window treatments For privacy and security
-Add SVdP signage to store front
-Acquire steel racks 10 inside building for food storage. 6-8 For secondary storage area
-Purchase or acquire pallet jack and pallet truck
-Move/increase capacity with telephone and camera security system
-Create spaces: food storage, warehouse space, pantry intake, food shelves, Emergency Assistance visits, Emergency Assistance call-center, conference area, 2 offices, filing space, possible chapel
-Acquire Furniture for Pantry, offices, and Emergency Assistance spaces
-Landscaping at the corner of the lot
-Repave/blacktop parking lot
-Sand & Paint building exterior
-Paint interior facility completely
-Possibly re-install carpet in some offices
-Do you have an idea for what you would like to contribute? Let us know. ThankYou! SVdP.