With the COVID-19 pandemic, the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria found itself in an extraordinary situation. Our 167-year tradition of face-to-face, hands-on approach suddenly became an issue which needed to be refreshed due to the new government guidelines regarding limiting social contact. And that is exactly what we have done! Rest assured, we are here and we will continue to play a vital role in helping people who need it most.

Our critical services will remain true to the Society's mission, while also keeping the health and wellbeing of our members, volunteers and employees top of mind.

  • Our Welfare Assistance Line is open.
  • Our Vinnies Soup Vans are operating under our new service delivery model.
  • Our Vinnies Shops are open. 
  • Our Vinnies NILS (No Interest Loans Scheme) team are still taking calls.
  • Our Box Hill reception (03 9895 5800) is open. 
  • Our Education Programs are running via zoom when in lockdown or face to face when possible. 

Yes, our services are a little different at the moment but we are still providing assistance to people and communities in need, just as we have throughout our long history in Victoria. We are here for you.

Changes to our current works are:

Conference Home Visits
STATUS:   SERVICE OPEN WELFARE ASSISTANCE LINE  1800 305 330
    MONDAYS-FRIDAYS    10.00AM-3.00PM

 

 

Phone interviews only will be conducted and contactless delivery/collection of assistance. 
Material aid will be available in emergency situations.

Vinnies Soup Vans
STATUS:   SERVICE OPEN    
        

 

MELBOURNE METRO  

Our Soup Van services around the state are undertaking contactless street service of meals to our friends on the street and people experiencing food insecurity in hotels, boarding house, towers and other residential areas.

Inner City Soup Van

CBD and fringes, Carlton, Collingwood, Richmond, Flemington

Please CLICK HERE to see up-to-date Street Service details.
If you need food assistance and cannot access our street service, please call our Assistance Line 1800 305 330

Footscray Soup Van

Please CLICK HERE to see up-to-date Street Service details.

Berwick Soup Van

 Please CLICK HERE to see up-to-date Street Service details.
   
   

REGIONAL

   Hamper by prior arrangement – (free call) 1800 305 330
Traralgon Soup Van

Please CLICK HERE to see up-to-date Street Service details.

____________________________________________________

 

Vinnies Shops
STATUS:   OPEN CHECK MY LOCAL SHOP  
  CHANGES TO OPERATION    
  METROPOLITAN SHOPS OPEN  
   REGIONAL SHOPS OPEN  
       
 MELBOURNE METRO  

Shops are open
   
 REGIONAL   

Shops are open 


DONATIONS:
We gratefully accept your donations only when Vinnies Shops are open - so we can thank you for your generosity! Please know that our donation storage areas in some shops can fill up quite quickly, resulting in our volunteers to halt accepting donations for that day. Our best advice is to call ahead. We thank you for you understanding.

You can still visit our eBay store!

Remember: It is through your generous donation of goods and finances that we are able to provide our services. We do not receive any government financial assistance. 

 

Welfare Call Centres
STATUS:   SERVICE OPEN WELFARE ASSISTANCE LINE  1800 305 330
    MONDAYS-FRIDAYS    10.00AM-3.00PM

 

 

Assistance Centres
STATUS:   SERVICE CHANGED Interviews are to be arranged on
an appointment-only basis.		  
       
 MELBOURNE METRO  

Remain closed.
   
 REGIONAL   

Remain closed or operating as a modified service.

 

Bushfire Assistance
STATUS:   SERVICE OPEN   CALL 13 18 12

 

 MELBOURNE METRO   No change - Call centre remains remote on 13 18 12
   
REGIONAL    No change – remains a member assessment by phone
Vinnies NILS (No Interest Loan Scheme)
STATUS:   SERVICE OPEN PHONE INTERVIEWS 03 5229 8829
       

 

 

The Vinnies NILS team are here to help if you need a safe, fair and affordable credit alternative to purchase goods or services that will improve quality of life for individuals and families on low incomes.

Phone interviews will be conducted or you can visit https://www.vinniesnils.org.au/ for further information.

Changes to this service are due to the government’s COVID-19 health directive to limit social contact which will reduce the risk to people we assist and to our volunteers.

Rest assured, that once this crisis is over, our services will be back to normal.

Material Assistance
STATUS:   SERVICE OPEN Available in emergency situations   CALL 13 18 12

 

Education Programs
STATUS:   SERVICE CHANGED TO JOIN

linette.etheredge@svdp-vic.org.au
or 0437 168 366

 

 MELBOURNE METRO   All education programs are running weekly in a face to face capacity when possible or in zoom during lockdown restrictions.
   
REGIONAL    All education programs are running weekly in a face to face capacity when possible or in zoom during lockdown restrictions.

 

Youth Services
STATUS:   SERVICES ON HOLD QUERIES YOUTH@SVDP-VIC.ORG.AU
      SCHOOLS@SVDP-VIC.ORG.AU

 

 

School workshops, services and programs are also currently on hold. We are being adaptable with the changes and are pleased to offer Skype sessions for interested schools. 

Want us to host your next Mini Vinnies virtually? Or run through a Vinnies workshop? Please contact the Youth Engagement Team to book in a session via schools@svdp-vic.org.au

We anticipate a return (Teen Camps, Kids Day Out, College Open Day and Roadshow) will be back to normal.

Should you have any queries at this time please contact the Youth Engagement Team via youth@svdp-vic.org.au

Prison Visitation
STATUS:   TEMPORARY HALTING AND
  STOPPING OF SOME SERVICES

 

  • Prison face-to-face visits to cease.