Holiday Events

Halloween

Trunk or Treat

St. Vincent de Paul began a new tradition in 2019 in which elementary school kids from the neighboring West End are invited to a “Trunk or Treat” in the parking lot of our outreach center. The kids can play games, run around, get their faces pained and go from car to car collecting candy from volunteers who hand it out from their trunks.

How you can help

Just like with trick or treating, the more places you can go to collect candy the better, so volunteers are always welcome to park their cars, open their trunks and greet the kids as they come knocking.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving food distribution

Thanksgiving is a holiday built around gathering family at the dinner table, giving thanks and chowing down. To help with this holiday tradition, St. Vincent de Paul gives out Thanksgiving food baskets, which include a turkey, all of the traditional side items, desserts and everything needed to create a great meal. More than 1,300 dinners are distributed each year to neighbors who start lining up the night before. There’s music playing, drinks and donuts served, dancing. It’s like tailgating for turkeys.

How you can help

Volunteers are needed to put together food bags, help with check-in, distribute warm drinks and donuts to those waiting in line, and assist neighbors in need with carrying their food items back to their cars.

Christmas

Christmas food distribution

Presents under the tree is often the highlight of Christmas day, but the Christmas dinner with family can’t be forgotten, and to help St. Vincent de Paul hands out everything needed for a good meal—a ham, veggies, fruit, rolls, dessert—to those in need. More than 1,100 Christmas dinners are given out, along with donuts, drinks and a good time.

How you can help

Volunteers are needed to put together food bags, help with check-in, distribute warm drinks and donuts to those waiting in line, and assist neighbors in need with carrying their food items back to their cars.

Christmas Together

You can grant a family’s Christmas wishes through the Christmas Together program in which you are matched with a family in need and given a wish list. After purchasing the gifts on the list, they are dropped off at St. Vincent de Paul or delivered directly to the family.

How you can help

For more information or to sponsor a family, call 513-562-8841, ext. 272, or email ChristmasTogether@SVDPcincinnati.org.