Leader: Mrs. Joyce Ahart
The Parish has a local chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. They raise funds that enable us to pass out "food certificates" that can be redeemed at a local grocery store. This distribution is held most Fridays from the back door of the rectory between 9 and 11 AM. People are required to have ID verification and can only receive a "certificate" once a month.
The members also support the work at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store and Cosgrove Kitchen located at 38th and State Street in East St. Louis. The store offers "gently used" clothing, furniture and household items, usually for a small donation. Cosgrove Kitchen serves a hot meal to anyone who is hungry six days a week. Currently some 200 meals are served each day. Volunteers are always needed.
The Parish also sponsors the St. Vincent de Paul "Soup Bus" which travels to different housing projects at least four nights a week and offers a free meal to anyone who is hungry. St. Augustine helps prepare and serve the meal on the first Wednesday and the third Thursday of each month. We always can use more people to help with this project to serve others.
Volunteers are also needed and welcome at the various "CUP", Catholic Urban Programs that offers a variety of services to those in need in the East St. Louis area. Call the Church Office at 274-0655 for more information.
