There are a variety of support resources available to our impoverished neighbors, sponsored on the state, county, and local levels. Here in Addison, most of us are familiar with the valuable work of the Addison Community Switchboard with its food pantry and clothes closet. 

Also reaching out to the less fortunate in town are churches, such as St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church. This church is one of the foremost supporters of the Switchboard’s annual Christmas gift-giving program for needy children.

For 19 years, the church has been part of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a worldwide Catholic group that helps the poor.

The congregation is so generous toward this cause that the church does not have to hold official fundraisers like many other churches do. Parishioners consistently contribute so resources are always available. 

In addition to using these funds for items like Christmas gifts, the church helps with rent, mortgage payments, utilities, medical needs and other expenses. During the last fiscal year, the group doled out a whopping $42,000 to assist Addison’s needy.

So how do they determine who shares in this treasure trove of generosity? Referrals come from Addison Township and the Community Switchboard. Leads also come from village of Addison finance staff, who might connect the group with people who have had great difficulty paying their water bill, for instance.

 Instrumental to plugging St. Philip into the St. Vincent de Paul Society network was the late Frank Gerlach, a deacon at the church who first pitched the idea.

For more information, call the church at (630) 628-0900.