Partner Spotlight
Patrick Green and the Vincentians
Patrick Green and the Vincentians help serve people facing homelessness and deliver food every Saturday.
“Our objective isn’t to get people off the streets – what
we’re trying to do is touch people’s hearts so they
realize they have worth and maybe change their lives.
When people feel good about themselves, they do
something to change their circumstances.”
“We don’t have the power to get people off the streets, but we do have the power to help people recognize their worth and that might stimulate them to do something about their situation.”
– Patrick Green
Right before Covid, in the Fall of 2019, Patrick Green and others from The Society of St. Vincent de Paul began exploring how they could serve people facing homelessness. He met with the CFF team to propose they deliver food if CFF could provide it. “Everyone liked the idea. Vince (the CEO) said it was something they wanted to do anyway. It was divine
inspiration I guess,” Patrick joked.
After months of planning, Patrick’s and the Vincentians’ first service was a Saturday in June 2020, and volunteers have picked up and delivered soup, sandwiches, and snack bags almost every Saturday since.
The outreach teams now not only know those they serve by face but by name, because people in need know to be at the same place and the same time each week.
When asked why they do this work, Patrick is clear.
“Our objective isn’t to get people off the streets – what we’re trying to do is touch people’s hearts so they realize they have worth and maybe change their lives. When people feel good about themselves, they do
something to change their circumstances.”
“We are always looking for folks to help with distribution. Some pack up food at CFF, even kids. And two teams go out to distribute food. All are welcome.”
If you’d like to make, pack or distribute food, email volunteer@caringforfriends.org