It's not that SVDP is not looking at other sources for donations. They're working on arrangements with Gleaners and Midwest Food Bank, but these are pending, and another food bank which SVDP uses, Hamilton County Harvest, is itself running low.

And the need is real. As of a couple weeks ago, SVDP had served 637 families in 2010, in several cases more than once per family.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is very grateful for the assistance received from members of Our Lady of Grace Church and has expressed that gratitude to me. For my part, I am inviting our parishioners to consider increasing that assistance. The parish will not be increasing the frequency of our food drives or parish tithing, so this will depend on the initiative and generosity of parishioners. Can you give more, in food or monetary donations or both?  

Because of the nature of the ministry itself and because of the necessary security restrictions on the ministry, it's not one of those that we publicize much, nor do we actively recruit jail ministers. It's one of the few parish ministries where we sometimes say to interested parties, "We really have plenty of volunteers right now, but maybe you can get involved at some later date."

There is, however, a new organization getting started in Hamilton County which ministers to offenders, ex-offenders, and their families. The name of the organization is Jehoshua House. "Jehoshua" is the (original) Hebrew name which comes into English (through Latin) as "Jesus." And the "House" part of this organization's name might give you the idea that it's a halfway house or something of the sort, Jehoshua House is not a brick-and-mortar house at all. At least not yet.

Jehoshua House is a ministry both to those who are incarcerated and those returning to society. Mentoring is offered to those who are in prison or jail and those who are who are completing their sentences. This mentoring is aimed at helping offenders and ex-offenders to strengthen their faith and authentically live it in the world. Jehoshua House helps in job placement, counseling, mentoring, and training in both life and job skills, providing a loving atmosphere where Jesus and His Holy Spirit will be present. These services aim not only help those who have been behind bars, but also to increase public safety in the community by reducing crime and recidivism.