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FIND FIVE FRIENDS CAMPAIGN

- Mackenzie and Alexa
  San Antonio Students
- FIND FIVE FRIENDS
  
  Get involved in this viral campaign TODAY and help us reach our goal
  of engaging 150 Friends
  to help feed, house, and clothe
  individuals in need.
  
  DONATE NOW
- Brandon and Destiny
  San Antonio Couple
- ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
  
  In 1833, a young Catholic named Frederic Ozanam gathered five friends and took the risk of responding to the glaring inequality and injustice emerging in Paris, France. The group began feeding, housing, and clothing those in need with funds out of their own pockets and from contributions from friends.
  
  Seeing that need was on the rise in their community due to COVID-19, an incoming freshman Catholic student from
  San Antonio, Texas called together Five Friends and they gathered face-to-face via Zoom to discuss how they could help their local Society of St. Vincent de Paul. They were troubled by the situation and they wanted to help.
  
  Together, they decided they needed to begin telling the story of SVdP. They also knew they needed to find ways to support their local Council and they needed to encourage everyone they knew to FIND FIVE FRIENDS...just like Frederic Ozanam did. Their hope is that through this initiative they will create a viral network of supporters to help SVdP feed, house, and clothe those in need.
  
  Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are in need and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.
  
  DONATE NOW
- Brandon, Founder
- WHY WE STARTED THIS CAMPAIGN
  
  "I learned about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul during the start of the pandemic. It really struck me that many of the challenges people are facing today--lack of food, housing, and clothing--were things Frédéric Ozanam and his friends saw when he started SVdP.
  
  We aren't able to be physically together, face-to-face, but we can still make a difference. Imagine if each of my five friends found another five friends to support SVdP. Imagine if that wave of friendship continued.
  
  Imagine the difference we could make in someone's life?"
  
  Brandon Davis
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
- For 150 years,
  the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Southwest Council (SVdP) has been helping feed, house, and clothe people in need in Southwest Texas.
- Donations are down.
  Like many non-profit organizations, SVdP scheduled fundraising events are cancelled due to COVID-19.
- Need is up.
  Since the month of March, need has increased over 70%. Request for food has risen and many families are now facing evictions.
- People helping people
  is the only way to solve the problem. That is why donating money, food, and finding friends to help is so needed.
FOUNDER STORIES
- Alexa, Founder
  
  "Hi my name is Alexa and Brandon asked me to be one of the original Five Friends. This campaign is important to me because not only are we going to help people in need, we are going to make a difference. My hope is that the Find Five Friends project can grow and help so many people not only in San Antonio but hopefully in other areas of Texas, especially at this time when the world needs it. I can’t wait to help make a difference! "
  
  DONATE NOW
- Charlie, Founder
  
  "I think it’s important to help those in need because they’re the most vulnerable part of our society. We have a moral duty to make sure those in need can stay afloat. It’s even more important when they’re unable to help themselves due to circumstances like COVID-19. This is why we’re doing this program.
  
  I’m glad I’m doing something to give back to the community.I hope that these efforts will help those that need it, and inspire others to follow in our footsteps. By getting involved in this viral campaign, others can also help out the most disadvantaged in their community."
  
  DONATE NOW
- Enrique, Founder
  
  "This campaign is important to me because it gives us a chance to make a difference in people's lives.
  
  All people deserve food, shelter, and clothes. Right now, more families are struggling because of COVID-19. Right now is when those of us that have a little extra need to share with others that are going through hard times. We need to give. When we give, we receive so much more in return.
  
  You've got to see...those in need are our brothers and sisters. When someone is suffering, we need to lift them up and show them compassion. It's our responsibily to show them they are not alone.
  
  Give. It's really simple to do. Please. Make a difference in the world."
  
  DONATE NOW
- Isaac, Founder
  
  "I believe this campaign is important because it gives hope to people who have been affected by Covid-19 and other life events.
  
  Many of us have been blessed with a good home to live in, clothes to wear and food to eat. Others are not so fortunate.
  
  I believe that if we all come together and unite to help others in need, we can make a positive difference in their lives.
  
  Your donations can go a long way and help make our world a better place."
  
  DONATE NOW
Community Members Inspired To Give
- Imelda, San Antonio, Texas
  
  From a young age, my parents instilled in me the spirit of giving back to those in need.
  
  They would say, "You never know what others are going through", as we worked the SVDP food pantry during my elementary and middle school years.
  
  It is especially important now for all of us to give as so many are suffering around us.
  
  If we all do our part we can make a huge impact in our beloved community.
- Patricia, San Antonio, Texas
  
  "I work in an industry that helps families prepare for their future and plan for the unforeseeable. Working in such an industry gives you perspective. You know that things can change from one day to the next.
  
  These days, things are changing so quickly. More and more people are losing jobs and benefits. More and more people are struggling to make ends meet and it breaks my heart.
  
  I donated to the Find Five Friends campaign because I know my donation will make a difference. And I hope others join as well. It will take all of us to get through these difficult days. Please, give if you can. Even a little goes a long way."