Many Americans are one crisis away from homelessness.
 

NerdWallet and U.S. News surveys found that 57% of Americans said they were living paycheck to paycheck and more than two in five Americans couldn't pay for a $1,000 emergency expense.
 

Whether it’s a family on the brink of eviction, someone in need of utility bill assistance in the winter, or groceries to make it to month’s end, the 27 SVDP parish-based conferences answer the call.
 

“The need in Louisville is great,” said Jeannie Donovan, a Holy Spirit Conference member and SVDP Board Member. “The conferences and Special Works Campus are so vital in helping with this need in our community.”
 

While the Special Works Campus offers emergency, transitional, and permanent supportive housing, food outreach, and wraparound services, the conferences prevent households from entering homelessness. They help with rent, food, clothing, or bills (see graphic below*).
 

Fourteen active members in the Holy Spirit Conference help households in need in the 40206 zip code.
 

“I knew of St. Vincent de Paul Society, but I had never really been involved. I think this organization does a great job,” said Gus Herbert, Holy Spirit Conference President. “Its mission directly helps individuals and that’s the kind of social services I want to be involved in.”
 

If other conferences have a household in need in their zip code, Holy Spirit will often contribute financially.
 

“It’s a total team effort and everyone chips in and participates,” Herbert added.
 

Holy Spirit Conference members serve at the Open Hand Kitchen twice a month. They have been involved in serving the residents in our Domestic Violence Program. Last summer, they donated more than $600 in towels, pillows, and sheets. They also sponsored a Halloween party for the residents, and donated 30 Holiday Cheer Bags and toys for its Christmas party.
 

Holy Spirit School put together 48 birthday kits for our Food Pantry clients.
 

Last fall, Holy Spirit hosted a movie night for Ozanam Inn Men’s Emergency Shelter residents and plan to do it again.
 

“It exceeded our expectations as far as attendance and the neighbors were very grateful and respectful,” he said.
 

Holy Spirit Conference has been involved in Stock the Shelves and Stock the Shelters, helping with non-perishable food items and personal care items, respectively. They also have members who visit prisons and bring communion to the homebound. Holy Spirit Conference is also learning more about home visits.
 

“We’re looking for any opportunities we have for direct connection,” Herbert said.
 

Herbert believes it’s important to belong to something bigger than yourself.
 

“I want to have something that I give back to the community and help people,” Herbert added. “I don’t want to just donate. For me, the Open Hand Kitchen is the best thing. I love serving there.”
 

Visit www.svdplou.org/svdp-conferences.