FAQs

Q: What is the Society of St. Vincent de Paul?

A: The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic lay organization dedicated to assisting those in poverty with various forms of financial and material help, as well as spiritual guidance to get them on the path to self-sufficiency.

Q: Where do you help?

A: The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Long Island assists throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties, only serving in communities where we have parish-based volunteers. To see if we have a volunteer group in your neighborhood, visit our Conference Page.

Q: What is a Vincentian? What is a Conference?

A: Our Vincentians are our group of volunteers that make home visits, run food pantries and provide other services to help those in need. They are people of good will who come from all walks of life, every age group and ethnic background.

When groups of Vincentians come together at a Catholic parish, they make up a Conference. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Long Island has 63 Conferences across Nassau & Suffolk Counties.

Q: Do you have to be Catholic to be helped by the Society?

A: No, the Society offers material aid and spiritual comfort to anyone who demonstrates a genuine need, regardless of religious affiliation or citizenship status. “Need, not Creed” is our unofficial motto.

Q: What is the Diocesan Central Council?

A: The Diocesan Central Council, headquartered in Bethpage, NY, is the professional arm of the Society. It manages the thrift stores and housing program, and provides support services and technical assistance to our Conferences at parishes across Long Island.

Q: What kinds of donations does the Society accept?

A: The Society accepts financial donations, as well as new and gently-used clothing, furniture and household items.

You may bring your clothing donations to any of the Society’s Thrift Stores or drop them off in one of our clothing donation bins.

Our Thrift Stores locations are:

To find a clothing donation bin nearest you, click here.
or call the Central Council at (516) 822-3132.

To arrange a furniture pick up, call (516) 746-8250 for Nassau County residents and (631) 858- 0380 for Suffolk County residents, or fill out the donation pick up form here.

Q: Can I get a tax deduction for my clothing/furniture/household item donation? Are monetary gifts tax-deductible?

A: Yes! When clothing is donated at our Thrift Store, one of the salespeople in the store will give you a receipt.

The Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions are deductible to the extent allowed under the Internal Revenue Service rules.