BY TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Conference of Merrill announced their Annual Fund Drive is now underway, and they are counting on the support of area residents to help them to help those in need in Lincoln County. SVDP assists individuals and families in need of emergency assistance right here in our community.
This year a number of corporate, individual, and private donors stepped up to donate a total of $36,000 via their Annual Matching Fund Campaign. Connexus Credit Union, Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross, the family of Nick and Kathy Laphen, and an anonymous donor will match donations, effectively doubling the value of other donors’ gifts, to help our neighbors during their time of crisis.
“Poverty is an incredibly significant problem in Lincoln County,” said Sue Norenberg, SVDP Director of Operations. “[The] St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Program has provided $125,711 in assistance to 333 households during the past 10 months.”
Once facet of the SVDP Conference is the SVDP Thrift Store in downtown Merrill, which contributes all store profits to the Outreach Program and has also provided more than $4,500 worth of clothing, furniture, and other items to those in need during this time.
For more information about SVDP or to find out how you can help, call Norenberg at 715.539.2666. Donations may be sent to: Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 503 S. Center Ave. Suite 2, Merrill WI 54452.