Pictured is Alice Sturm, Vincentian, volunteering on the phones at the Altoona Financial Needs Office.
Human Needs Office helps those facing financial hardship, setback.
The April 15, 2024, Altoona Mirror ran a story on St. Vincent de Paul helping those in need. Here is an excerpt from the article. “Alice Sturm, Rose Dickson and Sandy Lear are Catholic women who put their faith into action to help the less fortunate, following the spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul, which centers around spiritual formation and growth through person-to-person service to the poor and needy.
“It can be difficult and challenging,” Sturm said. “You get discouraged but it’s a beautiful thing. We’re not just giving over money. You talk to them and you pray with them.”
Many times, aid recipients sob in relief when told help is available and when the volunteer reads them a prayer at the end of a call.
The volunteerism is “a calling,” Sturm said, based on the Biblical call to help the less fortunate and in doing so, encounter Christ.” To read the full article as published in the Altoona Mirror click on the link below.