'Answer to a Prayer'
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Mary Stadnyk | News Editor
“An answer to a prayer” is the best way that Robert Mitkus describes what it means for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Medford Conference to have an opportunity to expand and renovate its current facility.
“We’ve seen an increase in the number of people coming to us for food as well as for assistance with rent and utility payments,” said Mitkus, conference president since 2005. “It’s really tough out there.”
In an effort to better assist people of the community who are in need, the conference has launched a $1 million campaign earmarked for the expansion and renovation of the facility that is located on Jones Road near the bustling Route 70 intersection.
Once the renovations are completed, the facility’s cramped quarters will double in size from 4,000 to 8,000 square feet, and will allow the conference to provide more up-to-date services which include a Caring Center, with more office space for clients to meet privately with the staff to discuss their particular concerns and needs.
The expanded thrift store, which has donated clothing, shoes, small household items and appliances available for purchase and is a main source of income for the facility’s operation, will become a “shoppers, delight” with open aisles, bright lighting and private fitting rooms. The food pantry will also undergo expansion and include more storage space, and added to the outside will be on-site parking with lined spaces and a designated entrance and exit.
The expansion and renovation project was heralded with a groundbreaking ceremony held Nov. 17 with Msgr. James H. Dubell, pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford, presiding. The Medford Conference is a ministry of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish.
Also in attendance were diocesan representatives including Sister Joanne Dress, executive secretary of the Department of Catholic Social Services, and Patricia Brooks, diocesan president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, as well as a host of folks who serve as conference volunteers and board members.
Noting that Nov. 17 marked the feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, a 13th century saint, who, although of royal descent, chose to devote her life to caring for the poor, the sick and the needy, Msgr. Dubell said that it was a most appropriate day for the Medford conference to break ground for its new quarters.
“The Society of St. Vincent de Paul puts into practice the faith that we have and enables us to share Christ’s love for us as we come to know and appreciate God’s love for us, and we need to share that love with those around us,” said Msgr. Dubell.
Mitkus said the discussions on expanding the Medford facility’s quarters began more than four years ago, and the projected cost would be $1 million. The conference has received about $600,000 from benefactors, and the remaining $400,000 will be raised through grants, bank loans, donations and other fundraising efforts.
Mitkus said that the conference, which was established in 1980 and began operation in its current facility in 1981, serves the Burlington County communities of Medford, Medford Lakes, Moorestown, Browns Mills and Pemberton Township. The conference operates with a total of 140 volunteers, with some of the volunteers coming to help out at certain times throughout the year, such as at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, with food deliveries and other holiday-related needs.
The volunteers help to staff the thrift store, which is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; work in the food pantry; handle the office work, conduct the home-visits and meet with the clients who come for assistance.
Giving an indication of clients coming to the conference in need of help, Mitkus said that in the past year, the volunteers assisted more than 8,500 people. The conference made 543 home visits to help more than 1,400 people, and responded to more than 5,000 people who came into the office in need of help. In addition, the conference provided help to some 130 monthly families through its home delivery and food maintenance program.
Noting that within the diocese, there are 51 Society of St. Vincent de Paul conferences that provide outreach, Sister Joanne remarked on how the conference members “have a strong spiritual component as part of their rule.”
“They pray and reflect together on the needs of those they encounter and work together to try to meet those needs,” said Sister Joanne, who is a member of the Daughters of Charity, a religious community founded by St. Vincent de Paul.
“We are truly blessed to have these ‘servants of the poor’ who quietly go about doing all they can to assist those in need,” said Sister Joanne.
“I offer my congratulations to the St. Vincent de Paul Conference serving St. Mary of the Lakes Parish and the people of the Medford area. The experience of their thrift shop and caring center will improve their ability to grow and to provide much needed help in an atmosphere of respect for those they serve,” said Sister Joanne.
Brooks added: “As our founder, Frederic Ozanam would say, ‘in society, charity must never look to the past, but always to the future.”
“May our Lord continue to bless St. Mary of the Lakes in their new venture for they truly hear the cries of the poor,” said Brooks. “Thank you to all the dedicated Vincentians in the Diocese of Trenton that have hearts to bring God’s love to the poor.”
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By Mary Stadnyk | News Editor
“An answer to a prayer” is the best way that Robert Mitkus describes what it means for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Medford Conference to have an opportunity to expand and renovate its current facility.
“We’ve seen an increase in the number of people coming to us for food as well as for assistance with rent and utility payments,” said Mitkus, conference president since 2005. “It’s really tough out there.”
In an effort to better assist people of the community who are in need, the conference has launched a $1 million campaign earmarked for the expansion and renovation of the facility that is located on Jones Road near the bustling Route 70 intersection.
Once the renovations are completed, the facility’s cramped quarters will double in size from 4,000 to 8,000 square feet, and will allow the conference to provide more up-to-date services which include a Caring Center, with more office space for clients to meet privately with the staff to discuss their particular concerns and needs.
The expanded thrift store, which has donated clothing, shoes, small household items and appliances available for purchase and is a main source of income for the facility’s operation, will become a “shoppers, delight” with open aisles, bright lighting and private fitting rooms. The food pantry will also undergo expansion and include more storage space, and added to the outside will be on-site parking with lined spaces and a designated entrance and exit.
The expansion and renovation project was heralded with a groundbreaking ceremony held Nov. 17 with Msgr. James H. Dubell, pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford, presiding. The Medford Conference is a ministry of St. Mary of the Lakes Parish.
Also in attendance were diocesan representatives including Sister Joanne Dress, executive secretary of the Department of Catholic Social Services, and Patricia Brooks, diocesan president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, as well as a host of folks who serve as conference volunteers and board members.
Noting that Nov. 17 marked the feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, a 13th century saint, who, although of royal descent, chose to devote her life to caring for the poor, the sick and the needy, Msgr. Dubell said that it was a most appropriate day for the Medford conference to break ground for its new quarters.
“The Society of St. Vincent de Paul puts into practice the faith that we have and enables us to share Christ’s love for us as we come to know and appreciate God’s love for us, and we need to share that love with those around us,” said Msgr. Dubell.
Mitkus said the discussions on expanding the Medford facility’s quarters began more than four years ago, and the projected cost would be $1 million. The conference has received about $600,000 from benefactors, and the remaining $400,000 will be raised through grants, bank loans, donations and other fundraising efforts.
Mitkus said that the conference, which was established in 1980 and began operation in its current facility in 1981, serves the Burlington County communities of Medford, Medford Lakes, Moorestown, Browns Mills and Pemberton Township. The conference operates with a total of 140 volunteers, with some of the volunteers coming to help out at certain times throughout the year, such as at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, with food deliveries and other holiday-related needs.
The volunteers help to staff the thrift store, which is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; work in the food pantry; handle the office work, conduct the home-visits and meet with the clients who come for assistance.
Giving an indication of clients coming to the conference in need of help, Mitkus said that in the past year, the volunteers assisted more than 8,500 people. The conference made 543 home visits to help more than 1,400 people, and responded to more than 5,000 people who came into the office in need of help. In addition, the conference provided help to some 130 monthly families through its home delivery and food maintenance program.
Noting that within the diocese, there are 51 Society of St. Vincent de Paul conferences that provide outreach, Sister Joanne remarked on how the conference members “have a strong spiritual component as part of their rule.”
“They pray and reflect together on the needs of those they encounter and work together to try to meet those needs,” said Sister Joanne, who is a member of the Daughters of Charity, a religious community founded by St. Vincent de Paul.
“We are truly blessed to have these ‘servants of the poor’ who quietly go about doing all they can to assist those in need,” said Sister Joanne.
“I offer my congratulations to the St. Vincent de Paul Conference serving St. Mary of the Lakes Parish and the people of the Medford area. The experience of their thrift shop and caring center will improve their ability to grow and to provide much needed help in an atmosphere of respect for those they serve,” said Sister Joanne.
Brooks added: “As our founder, Frederic Ozanam would say, ‘in society, charity must never look to the past, but always to the future.”
“May our Lord continue to bless St. Mary of the Lakes in their new venture for they truly hear the cries of the poor,” said Brooks. “Thank you to all the dedicated Vincentians in the Diocese of Trenton that have hearts to bring God’s love to the poor.”