Our conference’s service area is all of Knox County. We assist people who are going through a temporary financial hardship with rent or utilities in most cases. We have also assisted with things like prescription medication, car repairs and plumbing repairs.

Our funding is provided by the members of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Mount Vernon, Ohio and from St. Luke’s Church in Danville, Ohio. We do receive some assistance from other conferences in Ohio and some from the Diocesan Conference.

Our assistance takes the form of a team of two going on a home visit to access how we can help our neighbors in need. Neighbors we visit are typically experiencing temporary financial set back due to loss of job, time lapse while trying to get on disability, an unexpected expense such as car repair, plumbing repair or a temporary hospitalization or illness. The money we provide is paid directly to the vendor, such as the landlord or utility company.

Recently, our conference received a grant from the diocese to start a MicroLoan program. The program is designed to help individuals who do not have a good credit rating, or any credit rating, to secure a small, low-interest loan in an amount less than $1,500. These loans are administered by the local credit union. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, guarantees the funds to the credit union in case of default. The Society has financial mentors to help people who qualify for a loan to attend budgeting classes and encourages them to pay back the loan to establish or improve their credit rating. 

Throughout our mission we try to treat all our neighbors with the respect and dignity they deserve as children of God.