Spartan Nash, which owns our local Dan's Supermarket stores, runs a program called
"Direct Your Dollars", wherein any organization that turns in shopping receipts totaling $150,000.00 will receive a check for $1000.00. Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck, in partnership with Saint Vincent de Paul of Cathedral in Bismarck, spread the word to Cathedral parishioners and the local community to collect receipts from Dan's Supermarket in hopes to secure the $1000 donation.
After a campaign spanning several months, SVdP had finally collected enough receipts. On Monday, July 30th, Marci Loomis, President of SVdP Bismarck, and several SVdP volunteers were awarded the giant check for $1000 by Pete Bauer of Dan's Supermarket.
In the first 7 months of 2018, SVdP Bismarck had spent as much money on assisting members of our community as they had spent in all of 2017. On average, SVdP Bismarck is receiving twice as many requests for help per week as in the previous year. It is not uncommon for SVdP Bismarck volunteers to assist more than 10 families in a given week.
The $1000 check comes at a time when SVdP Bismarck's funds are especially low. The organization is funded completely through generous donations from the local community, and all of the money is spent locally to help the needy. SVdP Bismarck provides emergency assistance with food, rent, clothing, utilities, and other essential needs.