More Than Just a Thrift Store
St. Vincent de Paul has served our neighbors in need in Pierce County for more than 90 years regardless of race, religion or orientation. Throughout this time, we have continued to grow our programs and the impact we have in our community. Discover the rich history of our nonprofit and how we support our neighbors in need through our programs and thrift store.
History and Mission of St. Vincent de Paul
The history of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul can be traced back to early 19th century France when Frédéric Ozanam, a student at Sorbonne felt a calling to expand efforts of serving those in need in his community. Ozanam invited five other students to a meeting on April 23, 1833, where they founded the first Conference of Charity to assist the poor. Shortly after, the name was changed to what we know today, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, in honor of their patron saint.
It did not take long for this Catholic lay organization to expand. After only 12 years after its founding, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul established roots in the United States in St. Louis, Missouri.
Flash forward 81 years, St. Vincent de Paul officially opened its doors in Tacoma, Washington. Since 1926, we have strived to help our neighbors in need through a variety of programs and with the help of local parishes. Our mission is to Provide Financial, Material & Spiritual Support to those Facing Immediate Crisis regardless of Race, Religion or Orientation.
Helping Our Neighbors in Need
Many may know us for our Thrift Store, but our Mission is much broader. Our services are broken into three areas:
Homeless Prevention & Basic Needs Program
We help people struggling to pay for immediate basic needs, such as rent and utilities, food, gas vouchers and short-term motel vouchers.
Second-Chance Employment Program
We provide on-the-job training and hire many people who are re-entering the workforce, making a fresh start. Program employees are referred from partner organizations including Work Source, Career Path, Goodwill, etc. We train more than 300 persons annually, up to 9 months at a time.
Thrift is Hip!
We provide affordable clothing, household goods and unique treasures seven days a week at our Thrift Store. Gently used items are accepted Tuesday through Sunday. Any donations that cannot be sold in our Thrift Store are recycled. We also provide nearly $90,000 in-kind annually to support those in need.
Making a Lasting Impact
In 2021, our Homeless Prevention & Basic Needs Program provided more than $685,000 in direct financial assistance to more than 12,225 people in our community. Whether it’s a gas voucher, short-term motel voucher, utility assistance or auto repairs, we provide services where the needs are greatest.
Here’s a breakdown of the allocation of the $686,943 awarded.
About Our All-Star Team
Part of what makes St. Vinnies so special is the welcoming atmosphere and friendly faces of our team members. About 85% of our team originally started through the Second-Chance Employment Program and many have been with us for more than five years. Broken into six departments: Processing, Production, Retail, eCommerce, Admin and Mission Outreach Help Line, each employee plays an invaluable role in keeping the operations of our store and community outreach efforts going. This awesome group is always ready to lend a hand and they feature a smile on their face while doing so. Whether you’re thrifting, dropping off donations or receiving assistance, you’ll feel the warmth and passion of the St. Vinnie’s family.
