The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Cedar Rapids is a non-profit charitable organization providing assistance with food, clothing, rent, utilities and other services to people facing economic, emotional or spiritual crises.  As a private, non-profit charity, St. Vincent de Paul relies almost exclusively on private individuals, businesses and organizations locally for support.  Everything St. Vincent de Paul does is motivated by a sense of compassion for those struggling with poverty, loneliness, illness, family problems and many other difficulties.  Our Catholic faith inspires us to action, sustains our commitment, and challenges us to become more like Christ.  For Vincentians, every encounter with our fellow-man is an opportunity to share a spark of the divine fire as we walk with them in their daily challenges.

Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering person to person service to individuals in need.  We are young and old.  Out members come in every shade of skin color.  Some of us are wealthy, some are financially poor, but all of us are blessed with an awareness that our blessings are to be shared with our brothers and sisters in need.

We know that we are not alone.  We are part of an international society of friends united by a spirit of poverty, humility and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gatherings and adherence to a basic rule.

Energized by the awareness that service to our brother or sister in need is in fact an encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ, members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are keenly aware that poverty, suffering and loneliness are present for millions in our communities.  For that reason, we collaborate with all who seek to relieve need and address its causes.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers tangible assistance to those in need on a person to person basis.  It is this personalized involvement that makes the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul unique.  This aid may take the form of intervention, consultation, or often through direct dollar or in-kind service.   An essential precept of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's work is to provide help while conscientiously maintaining the confidentiality and dignity of those who are served.  The Society recognizes that it must assume a role of advocacy for those who are defenseless or voiceless.  Some 12 million persons are helped annually by St. Vincent de Paul in the United States.