The San Antonio
VINCENTIAN VOICE
A monthly newsletter for all members of the
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocesan Council of San Antonio
A Message from Your Servant Leader...
My fellow Servant Leaders,

We have been looking at our response to the COVID-19 virus. The Conference that have remained open is a great blessings to those in need of food. Thank you for your courage in meeting the food needs of our brothers and sister you serve. I can assure the Archbishop is most appreciative of what we are doing. He looks to us a essential serve to our community. We do not give food but we are the presence of the God of hope to them.

We now need to take a serious look on what is need to continue and expand our efforts. We have decided it is time to visit with every leader to know where you are at, what we need to do going forward, at try to reach a consensus on these actions. I have attached Pope Francis Easter Vigil homily to give us a reflection on who and what we should do and be. This crisis is our finest hour as Vincentians.

To have this conversation with our Servant Leaders, we will setting up teleconferences with each District through you as a District President. We need your District Council members (District Council Officers and Conference Presidents) to participate. If a Conference President cannot participate the Vice President should attend.

Below is an agenda and supporting materials for the conference. Please try to get it out to your District by email or delivery. If you have trouble with getting it out let me know and I will personally deliver copies to you.

Rosie and Sophia from our Council office will be calling you to select a time slot. We are setting up a hour and half for each meeting. I appreciate your leadership in this effort.

Your Servant Leader President,

Frank
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The Vincentian Voice to:
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For the latest information regarding SVdP's response to COVID-19 please click the button below.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Notice from Health & Human Service Commission (HHSC) Regarding the Change in SNAP Benefits
1. Emergency Allotment Supplement
SNAP
COVID-19 Policy Information

HHSC has been granted approval from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to issue April and May 2020 emergency allotment (EA) supplements to participating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) households. Households who are approved for SNAP in April 2020 and May 2020 will automatically be issued supplements that will bring the household up to the maximum monthly allotment for the household’s size. All EA supplements will be automatically issued on the SNAP household’s existing EBT card. SNAP households do not need to take any action to receive EA supplements.

Note: SNAP households that already receive the maximum monthly allotment for
their household size are not eligible for EA supplements. Starting April 9, 2020, EA supplements for April will be issued on a randomized staggered schedule. The issuance of April EA supplements for active SNAP households are expected to be completed by April 15, 2020. Households who are determined eligible for SNAP after April 15, 2020, including households who receive a prorated allotment, will be issued their supplement by the end of April. TIERS will add the following case comment “COVID-19 SNAP supplements issued” for a case where the EA supplement was issued. HHSC will not be sending a notice to households regarding the EA supplement. May EA benefits will be issued to active SNAP households by May 15, 2020.
Acts of Compassion
During this time of coronavirus anxiety, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Southwest Texas, is encouraging everyone to find ways to help each other with acts of compassion. During our recent news event at Resurrection of the Lord Conference, one of our brothers and sisters in Christ, there for food assistance, had a dead vehicle battery. Alex, video journalist with News 4 San Antonio, took the time in the rainy weather to jump the battery and the lady was on her way. And, he did it while keeping a safe distance. Thanks Alex with @News4SA for your act of compassion!
FOP Walk/Run 5k
CANCELLED
GREAT DEAL!
VIA Fare Assistance Program for all SVDP Conferences
Get 25% off VIA Bus Passes!
The Fare Assistance Program will allow participating agencies bus passes (day, weekly, monthly) and VIAtrans tickets less 25% that will be offset by VIA. These passes and tickets are for client use only. Agencies can provide these passes to their clients free of charge or they can sell them to their clients at the reduced rate. Agencies are not allowed to charge their clients more than what the agency paid VIA for the passes nor can the agencies access any type of service or handling fee to their client for the passes.

When you are ready to place your order please notify Mr. Mark Boyes that (210) 362-2191 at least two days in advance or by email at mark.boyes@viainfo.net. Our ticket window is located at 800 W. Myrtle, SA TX 78212. Pick up Order Hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 am-12:00 pm.

Agencies will be required to keep a log of clients that are receiving bus passes or VIAtrans tickets through the VIA Fare Assistance Program which you will receive with your order. Please let us know if you would like to receive an electronic version of the tracking log.

VIA will review the client log quarterly to ensure that agencies are keeping with the integrity of the program. Every bus pass given out from the conferences must be reported to Sophia Sanchez at Sophia.Sanchez@svdpsa.org every month.

For further information or questions please contact Sophia Sanchez at Sophia.Sanchez@svdpsa.org
You Can Be a Part of SACRD
SACRD is a directory of resources offered by congregations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and compassionate groups in and around San Antonio.
SACRD.org is FREE to use and FREE to be listed in.
For more information, email: info@sacrd.org
Reminder that if your conference needs clothes the Society of St. Vincent de Paul office has extra coats and other clothes available for pick up for our brothers & sisters in need. Please call Rosie at 210-220-2447 or email at Rosario.Abreu@svdpsa.org .
Looking for an Easy Way to Support SVdP? Shop with AmazonSmile!
When you shop at AmazonSmile a portion of the purchase price will go directly to SVdP San Antonio at no cost to you!


To Shop AmazonSmile
  1. Log on to smile.amazon.com
  2. Select Society of St. Vincent de Paul San Antonio (be sure to select San Antonio)
  3. Finished!
  4. Begin shopping knowing you are helping people in need.
Give Today
Due to this crisis, SVdP is experiencing a spike for our services. We are currently receiving more requests for help with food. SVdP is also helping provide a stable home environment with rent and utility assistance. Click the logo to donate today.
As we all slow down and spend more time at home... You may start to notice other things that slow you down, like that extra car or truck you don’t drive anymore. Rather than let it continue to hold you back, donate it to Society St. Vincent de Paul, Southwest Texas! Click here to learn more!
Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder,
Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.