Saint Vincent de Paul Group - Helping the Needy in Dedham

Although poverty seems to be creeping more and more into the middle class as our economy continues to faulter, organizations like the Saint Vincent de Paul Group and volunteers like Meghan Stamm are helping to lift the burden off Dedham's needy.

The SVDP is a national, non-denominational organization with centers throughout the country that focus on helping the needy.

Meghan Stamm works for Dedham's arm of the society and explained that the group's efforts are to "help anybody in need."

Stamm said SVDP has several main areas they aid the needy with including: home visits, food and clothing vouchers and heating assistance.

"The poor aren't in the same place it was years ago ... we want to make sure nobody goes hungry or without power," she said about recent increase in activity. 

Keys for Hope

SVDP's main effort at the moment in Dedham surrounds its Keys for Hope program that collects used keys and other pieces of metal that are ground down to be sold for the services mentioned above.

Stamm mentioned that Keys for Hope will continue throughout the summer months and that donors can drop their keys or used metal off at the Town Hall during normal business hours.

Although keys are certainly welcome, those interested in donating larger pieces of metal will want to contact SVDP at 781-329-9575 to arrange for a pick-up of a more unweildly donation.

September Walk

The next major event that SVDP will focus on comes in September. The Friends of the Poor Walk will take place in Dedham on Sept. 29. The walk is a two mile hike between two SVDP recruited churches in Town.

This year will mark the third annual Friends of the Poor Walk. In previous years, SVDP has raised over $15,000 from their efforts during a single event.

Currently, Stamm and SVDP are looking for volunteers, sponsors, walkers and donors to help bolster the walk. Email SVDP at SVDPdedham@gmail.com to sign-up.