Doing good, daily: Supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Every weekday, in the heart of Braamfontein, a group of dedicated volunteers quietly goes about the business of doing good. They prepare and serve hot meals to those in need. They distribute food hampers and toiletries. They lend an ear and a helping hand. They do what they can, with what they have, and they do it with love.

This is the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, a small but mighty team, part of a global Catholic organisation that has been serving the poor and marginalised for nearly 200 years.

A legacy of compassion

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded by its namesake, St. Vincent de Paul, and exists in Catholic parishes around the world. Its mission is simple and profound: to provide practical assistance to the poor and vulnerable. In South Africa, the society is a registered charity doing vital work in countless communities—including right here in Johannesburg.

At Holy Trinity in Braamfontein, the local SVdP team runs a daily soup kitchen, distributes hampers and toiletries, and facilitates other support for those in need. The work is demanding, ongoing and deeply meaningful.

“The work that is done here is good work,” says Fr Russell Pollitt SJ, parish priest at Holy Trinity. “The people who do it are very committed and often provide resources from their own means where they can. I appreciate any assistance we can get.”

Supporting the doers of good

At CN&CO, we believe in the power of community and in supporting people who make a difference every day – and so do our friends at EasyEquities. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul at Holy Trinity will be the July beneficiary of the EasyEquities Donate for Good campaign.

Each month, EasyEquities selects a charity to spotlight and support through the Donate for Good programme. This month, for example, contributions go to The Brain Tumour Charity. In July, all donations made through the platform will go directly to SVdP and the work they’re doing in Braamfontein.

Whether it’s a once-off contribution or a small monthly donation, every bit makes a real difference, helping to buy food, toiletries and other essentials for those in need.

How to get involved

If you’d like to support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at Holy Trinity, there are a few ways you can help:

• Donate via the EasyEquities Doing Good campaign in July
• Spread the word – share this blog and tell others about the work being done
• Make a direct donation – Standard Bank Braamfontein (004805); account number 002294192

“This is grassroots charity at its best: humble, hardworking and heart-centred,” says CN&CO’s Carel Nolte. “The need is great, but so too is the compassion of those who show up every day to help.”

A broader community of care

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is just one of several initiatives CN&CO is proud to support. Over the years, we’ve partnered with a number of inspiring organisations, including:

• The Heartfelt Project – a women-led social enterprise
• Dullstroom Epilepsy Centre – offering support and skills training for people with epilepsy
• The Maharishi Institute – providing accessible tertiary education for young South Africans
• Bokamoso Education Trust – helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds access quality schooling

“We believe in backing people and projects that make the world better,” says Carel. “We invite our community to do the same. Because when good people come together, extraordinary things happen.”