GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Many know St. Vincent de Paul for its thrift stores. But behind the storefronts are volunteers quietly crossing northeast Wisconsin, delivering more than just donated goods.
In 2024 alone, St. Vincent de Paul Green Bay’s volunteer team—known as Vincentians—traveled more than 34,000 miles to meet with families in need. That’s the equivalent of driving worldwide one and a half times.
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“This is a family we’ve been walking with for several months,” said volunteer Debra Schwallie, as she and fellow volunteer Marge Mattice loaded a donated stroller into their vehicle. “There’s another family that just joined them and had a baby, so we’re dropping this off to help.”
Vincentians work in pairs and visit families face-to-face, offering support beyond the initial request.
“When we first get the call, it might just be for a gas card or some extra furniture,” Schwallie said. “But once we’re in the home, we often uncover deeper needs.”
Mattice agreed, saying it’s more than meeting material needs—it’s about building relationships.
“You are meeting people where they’re at,” she said. “Our job is to love without condition. That’s what we’re called to do.”
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St. Vincent de Paul Green Bay served more than 7,000 people last year, providing over $1 million in services, including more than $520,000 in rental assistance, a need that continues to grow.
“People think of us as a great place to thrift—and it is,” said Julie Paavola, Director of Development and Community Relations. “But our mission is really about serving people in need. Our Vincentians are the heart of that work.”
