ST VINCENTS HOUSE

In 2021, we served over 46,000 duplicated individuals and over 28,000 duplicated households at St. Vincents House. Over the last year, we learned the need for care continues to rise in Galveston County. The overall care our clients receive has been proven even more essential since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March of 2020 and Winter Storm Uri devastated the island further in February 2021. We have seen a dramatic rise in clients with especially complex physical, mental, and social issues whose needs have been left insufficiently addressed. SVH is blessed to have been able to establish an Integrated Care Team in collaboration with UTMB and Family Service Center, expanding all services provided in order to most effectively meet the increased demand of needs in our community.From 2020 to 2021, there has been a 171% increase in the amount of food distributed to those in need, including fresh fruits and vegetables grown in our community garden. This last year we distributed over 492,000 pounds of food. At the beginning of the pandemic, our pantry was a small closet only open once a month. Because of your contributions, it has now grown to a daily drive-through pantry stocked with cleaning supplies, diapers, baby food, and anything that will keep our families clean and healthy. We also host a walk-up snack pack distribution for homeless travelers, over 4000 were given. In December alone, we helped bless over 150 children and 50 families with Christmas gifts through your sponsorships.Other expanded services include weekly food delivery for 80 home-bound families, hosting pop-up events for Winter Storm Uri (over 3000 duplicated) and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics, immigration services, financial literacy classes, transportation, rental and utility assistance, access to the many SVH Hope medical clinics, and much more.This past year St. Vincents House also began a comprehensive Strategic Planning Process that includes a Master Facility Plan. Currently we are limited by our facilitys spatial capacity prohibiting us from future growth in programs and services.Anyone can experience a situation in which they might need the help of others. Unexpected life events can be devastating. Setbacks such as an accident, job or benefit loss in this turbulent economy can cause food insecurity, a lack of stable, safe housing, and homelessness for those already struggling to make ends meet. We are incredibly thankful for the generosity of supporters like you who continue to give HOPE to our most vulnerable families in times of crisis and get them back on their feet.