Poverty Doesn't Take a Summer Vacation

Dear Friend,

As summer settles over Chicago, many families look forward to sunshine, backyard barbecues, and a slower pace. But for too many of our neighbors, summer brings no such relief. Rising electric bills, inflated grocery prices, and ongoing housing insecurity make this season one of the most difficult times of the year.

At the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago, we know that poverty doesn’t take a summer vacation.

Since 1857, SVdP Chicago has been serving individuals and families in crisis throughout Cook and Lake counties. Our mission is grounded in compassion and personal connection. When someone reaches out for help, two of our Vincentian volunteers visit them in their home to understand their needs and offer meaningful support. It’s a ministry of presence, meeting people where they are, with dignity and respect.

That first year, our founding Conference at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church made 4,650 home visits and helped 650 families, distributing over $5,000, which is more than $180,000 in today’s dollars. Today, with 77 Conferences and 1,400 Vincentians, we carry that legacy forward. In 2024, we made nearly 25,000 visits and helped over 72,000 individuals in need, distributing more than $1.5 million in aid.

And the need continues to grow.

Each summer, requests for assistance increase as families struggle with high utility costs, rising food prices, and urgent rent payments. Eviction is a constant threat for many. Others face impossible choices, like whether to keep the lights on or put food on the table.

We need your help to meet these growing needs.

Your generosity allows us to respond to each plea for help with compassion and action. Every dollar you give goes directly toward supporting individuals and families through crisis, helping them stay housed, fed, and safe.

This summer, we invite you to make an even greater impact by becoming a monthly donor.

Monthly giving is one of the most powerful ways to support our mission. It provides a reliable source of funding so we can respond quickly when emergencies arise. Whether it’s $10, $25, or $100 a month, your ongoing support brings stability to those facing uncertainty and keeps hope alive all year long.

Please consider joining our community of Faithful Supporters today.

To become a monthly donor, please select "monthly" for your donation frequency.

Thank you for being a light in the lives of so many. Together, we are the hands and heart of Christ at work in our community.

With gratitude,

Dana Pyzik
President Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Chicago