About Us
The thrift store is owned by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul District of Fort Myers and its eight conferences that provide direct services to the poor. For more information about the district and its work go to (district link to be entered here when site is live).
The Mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.
As a reflection of the whole family of God, members, who are known as Vincentians, are drawn from every ethnic and cultural background, age group, and economic level. Vincentians are united in an international society of charity by their spirit of poverty, humility and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gatherings and adherence to a basic Rule.
Organized locally, Vincentians witness God's love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served because, in them, Vincentians see the face of Christ.
Who was St. Vincent DePaul?
Vincent de Paul (24 April 1581 - 27 September 1660),commonly known as St. Vincent de Paul, was a French Catholic Priest who dedicated himself to the poor. In 1622 Vincent was appointed a Chaplain to the galleys. After working in Paris among imprisoned galley slaves, he returned to be the superior of what is known as the Congregation of the Mission, or "Vincentians." These priests, with vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and stability, were to devote themselves entirely to the people in smaller towns and villages. Vincent was zealous in conducting retreats for clergy at a time when there was great laxity, abuse and ignorance among them. He pioneered clerical training and was instrumental in establishing seminaries. He founded the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.
Vincent de Paul
Bl. Rosalie Rendu
History of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833 to help impoverished people living in the slums of Paris, France. The primary figure behind the society's founding was Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, a French lawyer, author, and professor in the Sorbonne. Frédéric collaborated with Emmanuel Bailly, editor of the Tribune Catholique, in reviving a student organization which had been suspended during the revolutionary activity of July 1830. He was 20 years old when the society was founded and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1997. Emmanuel Bailly was chosen as the first President.
The Society took St. Vincent de Paul as its patron under the influence of Sister Rosalie Rendu, D.C. Sister Rosalie (who was herself beatified in November 1999 by Pope John Paul II) was a member of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, and was well known for her work with people in the slums of Paris. She guided Frédéric and his companions in their approach towards those in need.
Bl. Rosalie Rendu
The society gradually expanded outside Paris in mid 19th century and received benefactors in places such as Tours where figures such as the Venerable Leo Dupont, known as the Holy Man of Tours, became contributors.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is part of the Vincentian Family which also includes the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian priests and brothers, also founded by St. Vincent de Paul), Daughters of Charity, Ladies of Charity (organization of lay women who help the poor, founded by St. Vincent de Paul), Sisters of Charity in the Setonian tradition, and several others, including some religious groups that are part of the Anglican Communion, like the Company of Mission Priests.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Today
The Society numbers about 800,000 members in some 140 countries worldwide, whose members operate through "conferences". A conference may be based out of a church, community center, school, hospital, etc., and is composed of Catholic volunteers who dedicate their time and resources to help those in need in their community. Non-Catholics may join with the understanding that the society is a Catholic organization.
Membership in the United States totals more than 172,000 in 4,600 communities. The national headquarters is in St. Louis. Programs include home visits, housing assistance, disaster relief, job training and placement, food pantries, dining halls, clothing, transportation and utility costs, care for the elderly, and medicine.
The Society in the United States provides more than $675 million in tangible and in-kind services, serves more than 14 million people in need each year, performs more than 654,000 visits to people in their homes, and delivers more than 7 million service hours to those in need.
