Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Akron District Council

Father John Hilkert Ozanam Center

Open Saturdays 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

              (Behind Annunciation Church)

               (93 Kent Street, Akron, Ohio 44305)

Sponsor: The Akron District Council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society sponsors the Father John Hilkert Ozanam Center. Frederic Ozanam is the founder of the Society who looked to St. Vincent de Paul as a model. Everyone remembers Father John Hilkert who was the pastor of St. Mary Church in Akron and a long time supporter of the Society.

Services: The Ozanam Center  is a place where low income people can come and get canned food, fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, etc. as available, once a month, clothing, and furniture(after a home visit).  The whole purpose of the center is to help families and individuals stretch their money from one month to the next.  It is not intended to be a cure all for these people but a help up. 

Donations:

1.   Food/Clothing: The Ozanam Center is located at 93 Kent Street in Akron behind Annunciation church(near Arlington and E. Market).  Anyone who wishes to donate food or clean usable clothing may drop it off when we are open on Saturdays.

2.   Furniture: Furniture must be in good condition since the SVDP has no facilities to clean or repair any item; disposing of it when it cannot be given away is expensive. If you cannot deliver the furniture during our Saturday hours, there is a possibility our volunteers could pick up the furniture. Most of the volunteers picking up the furniture are older and cannot carry heavy couches out of second stories or basements.  The furniture needs to be on the first floor or in a garage for ease of pickup. Please call Gail at Annunciation at 330-535-4141 and she will get the message to the SVDP; a call to the donor will be made to see what is possible.

3.   Cash: Cash donations can be sent to Paul Gruic, SVDP Treasurer,  1749 Sand Dr. Uniontown, 44685. Checks should be made to the “Akron District Council, Society of St. Vincent de Paul” Donations to the Society are tax deductible.

Volunteer Needs:

1.   Regular Center Volunteers: volunteers are always needed to staff the Center which is open on Saturdays from 10 am -2 pm. To volunteer they need only show up at the center at 9:30 on Saturday morning and they will be put to work! Any parish that wishes to get on our list of volunteers and be given a regular volunteer schedule can call Paul Gruic at 330-699-4928. 

2.   Furniture Pick up Volunteers: we really could use help picking up donated furniture and taking it to the Center.  We have no one who receives any pay so we always need volunteers to replace the ones who can no longer serve. 

3.   Prayers: please continue to pray for the Society and its ministry especially that of our Ozanam Center.