Monday 26th May 2014
A special thank you from the SVdP Kingsland Centre
Their has been notable increase in families and individuals seeking assistance from the Kingsland St Vincent de Paul food bank in comparison to 2013. This speaks of the struggle many still endure on a day to day reality. We wish and pray for a different reality for these people and gratefully we also acknowledge that every little bit you give counts. Thank you for being the difference.
A special thank you to
- St Patrick’s Cathedral and St Benedict’s leaders and parishioners
- Catholic Secondary schools
- Those who performed and supported in the Journey of Stars Fundraiser concert
- Catholic Caring Foundation
- SVdP Auckland Area councils
- Vinnies volunteers
- Individual benefactors and donors
- Members of the public
May God Bless You
Delphina Soti
Operations Manager /Kingsland SVdP Centre
Tuesday 27th May 2014
Carmel College – Theme: Vulnerability
After a very productive term one focusing in their theme of Poverty and Food Insecurity, the young women of Carmel College this term are ready to move on to their next theme for this term which is Vulnerability. Throughout the last term Carmel College was a hub of activity as they coordinated their mammoth Easter Egg Appeal for the residents of De Paul House. (An emergency housing facility that provides temporary accommodation and advocacy for vulnerable families amongst many other services.) In addition to this they organised a clothing Appeal to donate to Te Waipuna Puawai shoppes to help raise funds for the myriad of services and programme provided for young mothers and their children . This programme was initiated by the Mercy sisters. The Society of St vincent de Paul is very proud of the work this group of Vinnies does as they seek to genuinely connect and assist those seeking support in a most practical way .

Carmel College
Service Project : Clothing collection for Te Waipuna Puawai
Just as the Vinnies youth team were heading out after their visit to Carmel College to run a workshop on Vulnerability. They came across the collection of clothing the students had gathered for the Mercy ‘Changes’ Shoppes that raises funds for the Te Waipuna Puawai . For the last two weeks the students have been collecting this clothing. These clothes have been donated by students from across all year levels and the drive is set to continue for the weeks ahead. What an awesome effort Carmel College. Ka pai.

Sacred Heart College – Theme: Homelessness
Service Project : Preparing Meals and connecting with people.
Tonight the gentleman from Sacred Heart College helped serve up a fantastic lasagne for residents in emergency housing centers! The meal was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Shout out to the wonderful chef Glynn who holds the fort several nights a week and cooks up a storm and also the hostel staff who always hold us all in it. Those present also had an opportunity to sit and connect with the residents. Well done Sacred Heart College Vinnies. We look forward to seeing you all again on Thursday evening.
St Patrick’s Cathedral –
Service Project : Funding Hot meals for families and those who are homeless
It was so awesome to see everyone enjoy the hot yummy chopsuey and rice tonight at the City Mission.Thank you especially to the leaders, staff and parishioners of St Patrick’s Cathedral for your ongoing monetary support that enables our volunteers to cook these 200 hot nutritious meals each week for those who are homeless in Auckland city.

Wednesday 28th May 2014
Marist College – Theme : Poverty – Lack of resources and Food Insecurity
Service Project : Clothing and Food Appeal
The Society of St Vincent de Paul would like to thank the young women of Marist College for their generous donations of clothing, shoes, household goods and non perishable food items. These items will go a long way to assisting families, especially as the cold winter closes in. The Society of St Vincent de Paul wishes to thank the students and staff of Marist College for their compassion and generosity .


Rosmini College – Theme : Homelessness
Activity : Attended Workshop on Homelessness facilitated by the Vinnies Youth Team
An energetic group of Rosmini College students all gathered at lunch break to take part in the Vinnies youth team workshop on Homelessness. Rosmini College Vinnies will spend the remainder of this term unpacking the theme and finding different ways to try and make a change within their community.

Thursday 29th May 2014
St Peter’s College – Theme: Homelessness
Activity: Attend a talk on Homelessnes facilitated by Vinnies Youth Team
As the theme of ‘Homelessness’ continues to be unpacked, the Vinnies of St Peter’s College are becoming more and more immersed in the reality faced by many in our community. Today these young men were gifted with a testimony from an individual who has experienced this reality first hand.
One student commented “It makes us even more grateful and understanding of the things we have…”

Sacred Heart College – Theme : Homelessness
Service Activity: Prepare meals and connect with residents of Emergency Housing Centre
Tonight the Vinnies of Sacred Heart College spent some time learning, listening, and ultimately putting their faith into action through the service of others. Being with these young men tonight and seeing them engage with the residents was a testament to the special character of their school as well as the families in which they come from. We are proud to have solid young people who care for the needs of others.


Friday 30th May 2014
Tertiary Young Adult Vinnies – Theme: Vulnerability

This evening a of young adults gave up their Friday to help out at James Liston Hostel. the group were notified earlier by the staff of the Emergency Centre that they were short of personnel and did not have someone to cook for the evening dinner. The young adults took up the challenge and offered to cook up the entire meal for around for around 40 people. It was wonderful to see this crew of young food enthusiasts muck in to meet the 5:30pm dinner deadline. They were able to complete the task spare a few minutes and cooked enough food for the next day. The staff and residents were very grateful to this team of young especially for the banter and laughter they brought.



Saturday 31st May
Young Adult Vinnies
Another great 7 hour day at the Mission today! ! Thank God we had 2 shifts of Tertiary Vinnies volunteers rostered on. After being told that no food had come in for lunch for the 150+ people we were expecting, the Vinnies raided the Kingsland foodbank and whipped up an amazing creamy garlic and meat vegetable pasta!!
Dinner also proved a mission cooking up another 150+ servings of food and a massive hot fruit custard dessert..but the team did it!!! Everyone was raving about the amazing dinner tonight.
Thank you Marist College and Liston College for the supplies from your can drives, they came in handy today.