Serving others as we grow in faith and fellowship
Our St. Vincent de Paul members (also known as “Vincentians”) are men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to neighbors in need.
Members of all ages, every race, and all incomes are welcome! We simply share an awareness that our blessings of time, talent, and treasure are to be shared with people in need.
We work very closely with Fr. Ambrose and Fr. Nivin to help meet needs of our parishioners and refugees.
Come and see
You are always invited to our monthly SVDP meetings – generally the 1st Tuesday of each month at 5:30 PM in the St. Ambrose Parish Hall. Details below.
Local – Metro – National – Global
Our parish group (called a Conference) is part of an international movement that began in Paris in 1833 through Blessed Frederic Ozanam and Blessed Rosalie Rendu. The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has grown to 800,000 members in over 150 countries! Learn about the SVDP National Council of the United States
In Central Iowa, 14 parish-based Conferences form the Des Moines Council of SVDP– where professional staff plus volunteers operate free food pantries, back-to-work programs and more. The Council has worked since 1924 to help those in need become self-sufficient. The three SVDP Thrift Stores in Des Moines & Windsor Heights provide revenue to support these good works. (Thank you for donating goods and shopping there!)
When a parish conference can’t meet an individual’s urgent need, we turn to other conferences in the metro for funds. This helps all of us better serve needs in our community.
April 6, 2025
Help us fill the truck!
On Sunday April 6, from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, a St. Vincent de Paul truck will be in the parish parking lot. St. Ambrose SVdP volunteers will be available to receive items you want to share with those in need.
Bring the clothes you don’t wear and the home goods you don’t need, and drop them off when you go to Mass.
Items most needed:
✓ Clothing in good condition and clean for women & men
✓ Home goods including decorative items (things like figurines, sculptures, vases and artwork), lamps, and kitchen supplies
✓ Small pieces of furniture
Please do NOT bring:
- Broken, torn, stained or non-working items
- Baby car seats, baby beds, strollers or highchairs
- Major appliances or Entertainment centers
- Beds, mattresses, metal desks or office furniture
- Computers, printers
- Exercise or Medical equipment
- Televisions more than 5 years old
- Major appliances or pianos / organs
- Paint or home repair materials
SVdP cannot accept these items
Do you have heavy furniture to donate? SVdP can pick it up at your home! Call SVdP at 515-282-8328 to schedule!
The need is great. Donated items will be given to people in need or sold in the SVDP thrift stores at affordable prices. Proceeds support the food pantries and programs for those needing jobs, a high school degree, or a second chance as they are released from prison.
Thank you for helping!
An easy way to give food and essential items to households in need
First Sunday every month: at Saturday & Sunday Masses
Food Pantry Weekend
Please bring items to Mass monthly that can be given to our neighbors in need through the metro St. Vincent de Paul food pantries! Simply place these items in the baskets near the altar:
- Foods that do not need a refrigerator or freezer
- Items to keep bodies and homes clean – like shampoo, dish soap, cleaning supplies, diapers and feminine hygiene productes
- Cash to purchase food that’s most needed in the pantry
Thank you for your generosity and compassion! Each month, our parishioners fill a volunteer’s vehicle with things that people need! In the past year, together our parishioners gave items worth $4,000 – plus $2,000 in cash to purchase most-needed items!
November and December 2024
Fresh food delivered to parish families for Thanksgiving and Christmas
Thanks to the generosity of Capital City Fruit in Norwalk, St. Ambrose Vincentians were able to share fresh produce with over 50 parish families at Thanksgiving and again at Christmas time.
Capital City Fruit provided large quantities of apples, cabbages, carrots, grapefruits and oranges, onions, potatoes, peppers and more. SVDP members divided the produce into packages according to family size and parish community leaders and volunteers delivered the food to the families.
Many thanks to Capital City Fruit, Father Nivin, Father Ambrose, Deacon Francis, our volunteers and community leaders for making it possible for us to share these gifts!
Interested but can't make it to these meetings? Let us know. We'll invite you to volunteer from time to time.
You’re welcome at our monthly meetings
St. Ambrose SVDP generally meet the 1st Tuesday of each month at 5:30 PM in the St. Ambrose Parish Hall (609 High Street).
Expect a casual one-hour gathering: a small group of friends, beginning with prayer, and discussing the kinds of help and activities we’re feeling called to pursue. Coming to a meeting will help you see our SVDP in action – and there’s no obligation.
Interested but can't make it to these meetings? Let us know. We'll invite you to volunteer from time to time.
Do you know someone who needs help?
Let us know, and we’ll see what we can do. Leave a message at the parish office – 515-288-7411 weekdays – or email us.
To receive food, clothing and help toward other services, make an appointment to visit the Food Pantry.
Visit the SVDP stores to donate items or buy affordable clothes, home goods & beds.
Learn more about handling money.
Do you know someone preparing to leave jail or prison? SVDP can help them.
Need to donate big things? SVDP donation truck can pick them up, and might be able to manage an estate or tag sale for you.
