Vinnies gear up for Christmas

Published: 23 November 2003

The St Vincent de Paul Society in Brisbane gears up to help the poor this Christmas as (from left) state president Michael McKeown, support centre co-ordinator Ellen Fogarty and state council spiritual adviser Fr Morgan Batt check Christmas hamper donations at the society's new Brisbane Support Centre at Buranda

THE St Vincent de Paul Society has relocated two of its major operations in Brisbane to improve its service to the poor - just in time for Christmas.

The society has relocated its Brisbane Support Centre from South Brisbane to Buranda, and its distribution centre from Sumner Park to Woodridge.

A spokesman said support centres played a major role in connecting society members with people needing help.

Centre volunteers answer calls from people in need and direct them to their nearest St Vincent de Paul Society conference who arrange to visit the callers.

The society's state president, Michael McKeown, said having the centre at Buranda would save the organisation in rent and other costs.

State council spiritual director, Fr Morgan Batt, and Buranda parish acting administrator, Fr Ken Howell, blessed and opened the new centre in Taylor St on November 14.

The society also has streamlined its processing of material donations in Brisbane by relocating its distribution centre from Sumner Park to its sorting process centre in Woodridge.

Co-ordinator of the society's Brisbane metropolitan centres, George Halliday, said the distribution centre fielded 250 calls a week for donation pick-ups throughout Brisbane.

Mr Halliday said $70,000 in material assistance was distributed from centres and depots throughout Brisbane each month.