ROGERS — Walking the walk is exactly what the members of the Mother Teresa Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society did Saturday, Sept. 26 as hosts of the Friends of the Poor Walk.
As some 40 people walked that morning in brisk, fall weather for one mile around the Mathias Elementary School track, they were all part of the new initiative of the U.S. council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The Friends of the Poor Walk is only in its second year with 220 conferences of the society registered to host their individual walk.
The inaugural 2008 event raised more than $830,000, all for the use of participating conferences and councils in their service to the poor.
Roger Playwin, national executive director of the society’s headquarters in St. Louis, said in a press release, “This national walk provides an opportunity for thousands of our friends and others, who care about the significantly increasing numbers of people who are joining the ranks of those who live in poverty in this country, to help the Society of St. Vincent de Paul meet the growing need for help with food, clothing, furniture, transportation, utilities, rent, and mortgage assistance. In 2008, our volunteer members helped over 20 million people around the country.”
In Arkansas, the Mother Teresa Conference was the only state conference to participate in the Friends of the Poor Walk, as well as hosting the event for the first time.
Theresa Gaffigan, co-chairman for the walk, said “To be honest, this was our first year to participate. We wanted to see how it goes and we didn’t want to be overwhelmed. I think it went great for our first year. We were able to raise $3,400.”
Dr. Lisa Low, conference president in Rogers, said, “We had more people than we expected. We wanted to start simple, to keep it simple and see what kind of response we would get this first year. It was a good fundraiser and something that helps to raise awareness in the work we do as well as the needs in our community.”
The funds from the walk will remain in the Rogers community.
“Locally, we help so many families that any money we get, we are just excited about. Sometimes when the funds get low, we get concerned. But the Holy Spirit always provide,” Gaffigan said. “However, with the economy like it is, the needs of people increased. This last year it has almost doubled.”
In fact, today the food pantry at St. Vincent de Paul Church helps nearly 900 families monthly. In addition to the pantry, volunteers take turns answering requests for financial assistance.
“In that aspect, the amount of money we take in for the walk is huge because this is the money we use for the pantry and the home visits,” Gaffigan said. “The volunteers often have several visits to make in one evening to evaluate families’ needs — sometimes to help with rent payments, sometimes with utilities.”
However, it is not just about the bills.
“When we go to their home, a lot of it is letting them talk about what their problem is and trying to help them with that problem,” Gaffigan said.
Sister Anita DeSalvo, RSM, spiritual advisor to the conference, said the fact that the money raised from the Friends of the Poor Walk are for the direct help to the poor is important.
“It is not something that goes into administrative purposes. In various societies, they do different kind of ministries. Some have a thrift shop; some have a soup kitchen. There is a variety of ministries that the society is involved in throughout the world,” she said.
As part of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Sister Anita pointed out that the idea of the Friends of the Poor Walk is an expression of Vincentian spirituality.
