For many landlords and utility providers in Northeast ohio, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) is a familiar name. Executive director Jack Bedell explains that the charity’s reputation stems from its relentless focus on keeping people in their homes. “Every landlord in town seems to know us” he says, adding that utility firms have “gotten to know us pretty well … we’ve become very effective.” In practice, that effectiveness translates into concrete assistance: last year the organization helped roughly 1,100 families across the eight-county service area cover rent and utility bills.
Rent, utilities and the front-line battle against homelessness
SVDP allocates about 60 percent of its budget to what Bedell calls the “front end” of the housing crisis. In August alone the agency logged nearly 400 calls for help with almost 300 requests centered on rent or utility payments. The common thread in these calls is a surge in everyday costs that once seemed manageable. “Everything all around has gone up” notes Kelly Shaw marketing and development manager, highlighting how inflation is stretching the charity’s goals. The organization believes that preventing an eviction is far more impactful than scrambling to assist someone who has already become homeless.
Blanket Sunday marks its 40th year with a $400,000 push
While rent aid remains a cornerstone, the signature Blanket Sunday campaign commands the most public attention this year. Celebrating its 40th anniversary the drive launches on Sunday, Oct. 4 with a target of $400,000 up from $315,000 the previous year. “It’s our single biggest fundraiser, by a long shot,” Shaw confirms, noting that rising prices have forced the organization to broaden its scope. The campaign focuses on delivering new bed-frames, mattresses and linens to families still under a roof but lacking basic bedroom furniture.
Over 64 parish groups representing 180 parishes across the Cleveland diocese contribute to the effort. Last year SVDP delivered 500 mattress-and-frame sets a load that Bedell says he can fit into his Honda Pilot “very quickly.” Recipients often react with surprise, saying they didn’t realize such resources existed. “People absolutely love it” Shaw adds, noting that gratitude is frequent and heartfelt.
Beyond blankets: partnerships that amplify impact
The campaign also reaches the unhoused population. What began as a single donation of blankets from an O’Neil’s employee in Akron has grown into a regional effort, distributing warm bedding to those sleeping outside shelters. A key partner is St. Ignatius High School whose Labre Ministry handles much of the on-ground distribution. John Gill executive director of the Arrupe Neighborhood Partnership at the school, reports that SVDP supplies 1,300 blankets to his program each year, a sizable portion of the roughly 5,000 new blankets the charity distributes annually.
Food security is another pillar of SVDP’s work. In collaboration with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank volunteers and staff run seven hunger centers and food pantries throughout the eight-county region. “There’s a high volume of activity, every single Saturday” Bedell observes, underscoring the relentless demand for nutritious meals. Though the organization employs only a handful of full-time staff, its volunteer base numbers in the thousands, allowing it to sustain a “personal touch” that many larger agencies lack.
Both Bedell and Shaw credit the breadth of SVDP’s programs for their own career shifts. Leaving previous occupations, they now devote their full professional lives to the charity, driven by faith and the tangible outcomes they witness daily. “You just go home feeling better” Shaw says, summarizing the emotional payoff of serving a community where “the single biggest fundraiser” and “the front-end assistance” together keep families housed and warm.
