Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Bringing Food to the Hungry

The Belleville Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul feeds the hungry who come to the doors of our facility located at 3718 State Street in East St. Louis. Cosgrove’s Soup Kitchen was established more than 30 years ago and has been an important ministry serving those suffering from the effects of poverty in this community: children, the elderly, the homeless, the mentally and physically disabled and the working poor. It is the only facility in the East St. Louis area that offers a free noon meal 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year!

More than a Meal

The St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen strives to feed the whole person both body and soul. We celebrate holidays by serving meals to those who would otherwise go hungry. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter are joyful times of sharing the blessings of good food as well as the love of neighbor.

East St. Louis experiences a multitude of critical challenges because of the prevalent widespread poverty. We offer programs throughout the year to try to help meet some of these overwhelming physical needs.

Saturdays are special days at Cosgrove’s Soup Kitchen because we have Special People providing meals on Saturdays. These volunteers come from Scott Air Force Base, Queen of Peace Parish, Belleville, St. Clare Parish, O’Fallon, St. Mary’s Parish, Belleville, and Catholic Knights and Ladies.

Their dedication and service are appreciated by all.

Prayer Service and Bible Study  

Spiritual poverty is also devastating and we try to address these needs with prayer services held by local pastors several times a week.

We Need Your Help!

The works of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul must rely upon the generous spirit of others. Costs of providing services are constantly rising and creating new challenges to caring for the poor.

Below are various ways that you can help.

 

“Cosgrove’s Kitchen Keepers” is a program that helps to keep Cosgrove’s Soup Kitchen in business! It began when the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Immaculate Conception Parish in Columbia wanted to find a way to help the Soup Kitchen in its struggle to feed the poor. They came up with an idea modeled after a program at St. Dominic’s in St. Louis, “Soups & Stews!” Parishes prepare, freeze and donate a specific casserole to be heated and served at the Soup Kitchen.

 

The success of our efforts with “Casseroles for Cosgrove’s” has encouraged us to develop new ideas to expand our program and make it as easy as possible for people to participate! The following are additional items that we’re adding to the program. You choose which one or two that you donate. Many of the new items can be frozen in zip lock freezer bags which eliminates the need for containers. All prepared donations should be labeled.

 

Casseroles: We have a wonderful variety of new recipes to choose from. Prepare and freeze your casserole in a 9x13 aluminum pan.

 

Soup/Stews: Make your favorite recipe for soup or stew and freeze it in a plastic container.

 

Other Food Donations: For those who don’t have the time to cook but would still like to help!

frozen hamburger patties

packaged cookies

potato chips

hot dogs

bologna

salad dessing

large (#10) cans of fruit, fruit cocktail, or pudding

frozen meatballs

napkins

8oz cups

coffee

paper towels

toilet paper

 

MONETARY DONATIONS are always gratefully accepted and can be mailed to:

 

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

PO Box 3310

East St. Louis, Illinois   62203

 

For more information contact the St. Vincent de Paul Office at 394-3568 or pat.hogrebe@gmail.com