Thank you to all who helped with our Christmas Outreach 2021 program by volunteering time; donating gift cards, money, or gifts; knitting mittens, scarves, or hats; organizing, delivering, packaging, etc.
Christmas Outreach Program 2022 (updated 9/21/2022):
The St. Vincent de Paul Society and Social Ministry Committee of St. Benedict Parish are planning our annual Christmas Outreach Program to aid the neediest families in the Canandaigua community. It is an annual parish undertaking that has taken place in some shape or form for over 50 years!
We will begin accepting applications for Christmas Outreach from families/individuals starting on Tuesday, October 4 through Saturday, November 5 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 am - noon. Applicants need to come IN PERSON to the St. Vincent de Paul Voucher Room (#25) at 120 North Main Street in Canandaigua. When completing the application, children 16 years and younger will receive gifts. Birth certificates for proof of age are necessary! Tags will be placed in St. Mary’s Church for parishioners to take and purchase gifts for children.
During the Christmas season, the St. Vincent de Paul Society will distribute food gift cards from local Canandaigua grocery chains to every applicant family and individual applicants.
While we understand that this is not an easy financial burden, we are asking our parishioners to consider making a monetary contribution to the St. Vincent de Paul Society on behalf of our neediest sisters and brothers. Donation envelopes will be placed in an upcoming parish bulletin to be used by our parish community. The Society would be forever grateful if you could see your way clear to help those most in need during this stressful, difficult time of the year.
The financial donations made by the St. Benedicts Parish community will support the program’s purchase of Christmas gifts, aiding Migrant Ministry, and purchasing food gift cards. The St. Vincent de Paul Society would appreciate your donations BY MID NOVEMBER, IF POSSIBLE, TO ALLOW TIME TO PURCHASE THE GIFTS AND FOOD GIFT CARDS. All checks should be made out to The St. Vincent de Paul Society. Please DO NOT MAKE THE CHECKS OUT TO ST. BENEDICT PARISH. Your envelopes can be placed in the Saturday/Sunday collection basket or mailed to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 120 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424.
If anyone wishes to buy gifts for an entire family, please call Mary Schmidt at (585) 394-0378.
Please pray for the success of this year’s Christmas Outreach Program! We realize that these are financially troubling times for most everyone. Any donation of any size is welcome and appreciated! Thanks in advance for your care, concern, and generosity for those who are most in need of assistance!
As Jesus reminded us time and again: “The poor, they will always be with us.”