CORNWALL, Ontario – The dedicated volunteers of the Cornwall St. Vincent de Paul Society have continued to work hard to support those in the community who have relied on their service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, the St. Vincent de Paul food bank supported 3,600 clients, a five per cent increase from the previous year.

The Society, which operates out of St. Frances de Sales church hall is open on Tuesday and Friday mornings and have been distributing goods to those in need in a safe manner to keep both their volunteers and their clients safe during the pandemic.

As a volunteer driven organization, 96 per cent of all donations they receive are spent back in the community. In 2021, the St. Vincent de Paul Society received about $98,000 in cash donations.

The Society spent $42,000 on food for their food bank last year. During the Christmas season, $7,000 was spent on food baskets and cash vouchers which were distributed to 300 of their clients.

There was $3,900 spent on cash and food vouchers, as well as winter coats, that was donated to school programs or used to support clients referred from other community organizations that the St. Vincent de Paul Society partners with.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society works to keep their expenses low to focus their funding on their clients. In 2021, the Society had $4,518.61 in office expenses and $2,000 in equipment costs.

Cornwall St. Vincent de Paul Society President Tom Thompson asked the community to continue to support them in the new year.

“Please help keep us supplied so that we can help the needy in our community,” he said.

The Cornwall St. Vincent de Paul Society has been in operation for 40 years, and is a non-denominational organization that will accept any volunteers or clients regardless of religious affiliation.