SVDP Collingwood Soup Van

Surrey Hills Wattle Park Parish support the SVDP Collingwood Soup Van.

In 2004 Our Holy Redeemer parishioners Ray Hangan and Gavin Dwyer initiated support for the SVDP Collingwood Soup Van.  The support consisted of supplying sandwiches, cakes, buns and savouries to the Soup Van base on a fortnightly basis.  This food, along with that prepared on site, was distributed by the Soup Van volunteers to those in need living in the high and low rise public housing flats, as well as from a location in Smith Street and to boarding houses in the surrounding suburbs.

Bread was generously donated by David Winter, owner of Bread Street Bakery, and the sandwiches were prepared by an enthusiastic group of Our Holy Redeemer and Our Lady of Perpetual Succour parishioners.  The association with Bread Street continues, with about 80,000 ham and cheese sandwiches having been made!

Over the years, more than 30 parishioners contributed to this great outcome.  Worthy of note are four who have attended from the beginnings, namely Mary Sang, Sue Hall, Teresa Tennant and Creina Day.  The project has enjoyed the support of our parish priests and school principals, notably, Patrick Torpey who some years back organised the students of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor primary school to donate to the group a new meat slicer.

The work has been put on hold during most of 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions, however plans are to restart in 2021.

Christmas is only two weeks away and this should be a time of sharing and celebration, but for many it is a time of hunger, stress, and hardship.  Your gift could change lives.  Through your support, many individuals and families will be able to have the Christmas they deserve, a Christmas of hope and joy.

Donations may be made by way of:-

Credit card or PayPal online at  Christmas Appeal

When donating online, please remember to nominate your Parish St Vincent De Paul Conference as Deepdene/Balwyn Conference, Camberwell Conference or Surrey Hills 393 Conference.  This information may be inserted in the “comments” field at the bottom of the online donation form.

Telephone on 13 18 12

Please advise the operator of your Parish St Vincent De Paul Conference as Deepdene/Balwyn Conference, Camberwell Conference or Surrey Hills 393 Conference

By cash or cheque

Donations may be sent to PO Box 786, Kew, Vic 3101.  Please make your cheque payable to St Vincent de Paul.

Vinnies Christmas Appeal Collection will be held at all Christmas Masses across our parishes and appeal envelopes will be available.

All donations are gratefully appreciated.