NEWS BRANTFORD-BRANT

By Michelle Ruby, Brantford Expositor
Wednesday, July 30, 2014 11:09:35 EDT PM

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Anita Reansbury (left) president of the St. Vincent de Paul Brant Particular Council, and Lynda Phillips stand inside the society's thrift store at 197 Colborne Street in downtown Brantford, Ontario on Monday, July 28, 2014. The store sells clothing, household items, furniture and more.

For almost 150 years, the St. Vincent de Paul Society has been lending a hand to Brantford residents in need. It was June 18, 1866 when the first St. Vincent de Paul "conference" opened at St. Basil's Church.

That was just 33 years after a group of young laymen established, in 1833, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in an effort to help the desperately poor in Paris, France.
They went in teams to help the poor in their homes, in the streets, in the hospitals and the asylums, adopting as their patron Saint Vincent de Paul, a 16th century cleric renowned for his work with the poor.
While the world has changed dramatically over almost two centuries, the mission of the St. Vincent de Paul Society has altered little.

"There is such a crying need," said Anita Reansbury, who is president of the society's Brant Particular Council, which now oversees five church-based conferences -- at St. Basil, St. Pius, St. Mary, Blessed Sacrament and Sacred Heart.

While much the society's good work is done quietly, without fanfare, a celebration will be held next month to mark the 20th anniversary of its Valu Shoppe at 197 Colborne St.

The sale of clothing, furniture, housewares and other items at the store raises funds for the society, which are used to support its charitable efforts. Profit from sales at the Valu Shoppe last year totalled about $144,000. Reansbury estimates that since 1990, the local St. Vincent de Paul has provided $2.25 million in food and food vouchers to the needy in Brant. It also provides clothing, furniture and household items.

Although the society is a Catholic organization, it offers help to anyone, regardless of their beliefs. Just as they did in 1833, society volunteers go into people's homes to assess their needs. This year, local volunteers have visited more than 960 households.

"There is no means test," said Reansbury. "Just a friendly conversation."
Having made many home visits herself, she said instances of local poverty can be harsh and heartbreaking. The history of the store dates back to 1948 when a collection centre was opened by three city women in the basement of Gwen Barnett's Princess Street home. It was so successful that it had to be moved to the basements of St. Anne's and St. Basil's schools and then to the basement of St. Basil's Parish Rectory.

On Oct. 16, 1990, a Valu Shoppe, run by 40 volunteers, opened at 64 Colborne.
On Aug. 16, 1994, the current location was opened. A volunteer staff of 102 operate the store, making it one of just two St. Vincent de Paul stores in Ontario run strictly by volunteers.
The Society now numbers about 700,000 members in some 148 countries worldwide.

In addition to those contributions from the public, donations of food, clothing and other items to the Valu Shoppe come from local parishes and Catholic schools, which also raise money for the Society. Last year, parishes raised almost $60,000.

Proceeds from the store last year allowed the Society to purchase $42,000 worth of food, which was handed out there. This is in addition to the tens of thousands of pounds of donated food they distribute.
The Society also purchased $40,000 in gift cards last year to give to the needy and does its best to fill requests made by Ontario Works, Nova Vita, St. Leonard's Society, Rosewood House, and various schools.

Like other organizations of its kind, St. Vincent de Paul is seeing an increase in the number of local working poor in need of help. Cuts to government benefits have also hit hard, said Reansbury.
"A lot of our volunteers have had an experience of being poor," she said. "They know what it's like. Those are the people who are the most generous."

• What: St. Vincent de Paul Valu Shoppe at 197 Colborne St. celebrates its 20th anniversary.
• When: Saturday, Aug. 16 will be Customer Appreciation Day. At 11 a.m., there will be a gathering and cake cutting. The store is planning a week-long celebration with all summer clothing priced 50% off.
• Help: Donations of food, clothing, furniture, and household items are always needed at the store, along with new volunteers.

michelle.ruby@sunmedia.ca