The society operates a food pantry, fuel assistance and other emergency help for the needy.
St. Vincent de Paul officers Toni H. Hills, treasurer, left, and Joanne M. Millier, president, at the Westfield Community Food Pantry in the basement of the St. Mary's Church rectory.WESTFIELD - As a non-profit group, the Dan Kane Singers are no strangers to staging benefit concerts, but Oct. 16 will mark the first time the singers are utilizing their talents to help fill the coffers of the St. Vincent de Paul Society here.
Joanne Miller, president of Westfield’s St. Vincent de Paul Society, said the Dan Kane Singers have generously donated their time and talents to raise money that will assist local residents with winter heating costs, as well as other emergencies.
“We anticipate a very difficult winter, and the economic climate doesn’t seem to be getting any better,” she said. “We already have people asking for fuel assistance.”
While there is no set charge for the concert that will be held in St. Mary’s Church on Bartlett Street, Miller says a collection will be taken during the performance for free-will donations.
“We want people to be as generous as possible,” she said. “The Dan Kane Singers sell out everywhere they go, and we would like to have a full house to support them. We’re looking forward to an afternoon of song and generosity to benefit our treasury.”
The St. Vincent de Paul Society, Miller said, also operates a food pantry in the basement of the St. Mary’s rectory, also on Bartlett Street, and the pantry has become an important community resource that helps struggling families maintain a healthy diet.
Perhaps the society’s most sought-after program, though, Miller said, is for fuel assistance, which provides matching funds toward home heating oil deliveries. All funds are paid directly to the fuel provider.
“We’ve already had people asking for oil,” she noted. “Whatever the client can pay, we will match.”
Not only does the non-profit group help those less fortunate with their food and heating needs, it also assists in emergencies such as rent payments, which are made directly to the landlord.
Monetary and fuel assistance payments to clients, Miller added, are made once per year per client.
“Our money doesn’t go that far, but it is enough to carry those in need for a little while,” she said.
Most importantly, St. Vincent de Paul volunteers visit with those asking for assistance and guide them to appropriate social services agencies.
“We really look to see what we can do and direct them in other areas where need help,” Miller said. “We visit with people and let them know they are not alone.”
In addition to the singers, the event is being sponsored by primary donor Westfield Bank, as well as Therapeutic Massage Center of Westfield and attorney Richard Sypek, Miller added.