St Vincent de Paul North Idaho offers hope, opens doors

St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho does not seek accolades. 

It does not ask for attention. 

It does not look for credit. 

It should. It deserves all of it. 

So, we will do it for them. 

This nonprofit changes lives for the better. Through its shelter, its housing units, its Help Center, its thrift store, St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho offers a hand up to thousands each year. Words are usually good to tell the story, but this is one of those times we would like to let the numbers help us out. Its 2025 impact report offers an eye-opening look at just how many people are affected by its programs. Here are just a few of the statistics: 

• Nights of shelter, 10,620 

• Meals at Father Bill’s Kitchen, 12,385 

• Neighbors served, 20,018 

• Thrift store customers, 113,000 

Last year, St. Vincent’s provided 55 thrift store jobs, many to tenant and shelter guests; 272 individuals placed in supportive housing; 47 veterans received housing assistance or referrals; and 292 families were not evicted thanks to St. Vincent’s.  

Per the report, it invested $6.7 million in neighbors through shelter and emergency services; supportive housing; thrift and workforce development; mission and operations; and parenting and child nutrition services. 

Its sources of support totaling $6.9 million came from the thrift store, grants, rents and program fees and community and foundation generosity. 

St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho supports families and individuals by meeting urgent needs and helping people rebuild stability. It owns, operates or manages 329 supportive housing units, along with 50 shelter beds, a community kitchen and shower and laundry hygiene facilities. 

People also have access to basic needs, rental and utilities assistance through St. Vincent’s, as well as case management, life skills and workforce support, plus child nutrition and abuse prevention programs. 

All this work is sustained through thrift store revenue, earned income, grants and donations, carried out by a staff of about 65, with a handful of directors, and an army of volunteers and partners, “all committed to dignity, hope and lasting change.” 

We just gave you a lot of numbers about St. Vincent’s. Now, for a few words from a woman who turned to the organization for help and got it:

“I was desperate. But I was met with nothing but love.” 

“I had a lot of fear. They helped me learn how to walk through that.” 

“I wasn’t safe before. Now I am.” 

“What they taught me is how to help others. To give back what was given to you.” 

“There is a different path. There is help out there. There are people who care.” 

We tell you this to help spread the good word about St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho, highlight its positive impact on this community, perhaps raise awareness and donations, and one more thing: 

Next time you are shopping in the backyard/outside area at St. Vincent’s and Del or Louie name a price you think is too high for something you want to buy, rather than haggle, as much as they love it, just pay what they're asking.

You know the money is going to do a lot of good. 

And you are sure to get a smile from Del and Louie.