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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                           
March 3, 2008                                                                               

SVdP Establishes Pledge for the Poor Donation Program
to aid local families through tax rebates
Society asks Federal tax rebate recipients to make a pledge
to help low income Michigan families 

DETROIT—The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) is asking those who receive a tax rebate check from the Federal government this spring to consider helping low income households in southeast Michigan by contributing all or a portion of their check to the Society’s Pledge for the Poor – SVdP Tax Rebate Fund.

Society President Bill Brazier said the fund was created on the heels of the national Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 President George W. Bush signed into law February 13th.  Brazier said the campaign will use donated tax rebate funds to provide food, clothing, utility payments and other household necessities to individuals and families identified through the Society’s charitable network that aids people in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Lapeer and Monroe Counties.

“A $300 rebate check may not seem like a lot of money to recipients in a higher income bracket, but this money can make a huge difference for the families helped out by the Society who are really having a tough time getting by Michigan today,” Brazier said. “Rather than putting that money in the bank, we are asking expectant recipients to make a pledge to donate all or some of their tax rebate money to people who really need it.”

As an all-volunteer outreach charity with more than 2,000 Vincentians, SVdP is one of few agencies that can collect Federal money without any administrative overhead, Brazier said.

“That’s how, with donors help, the Society is able to do more to help destitute families in Michigan,” he said. 

According to the White House, the $152 national economic growth plan will provide tax relief to 128 million American households putting money back into the hands of workers and provide temporary tax incentives for businesses. Individuals are eligible to receive up to $600 and couples up to $1,200 with an additional $300 per child. Rebate checks are expected to be issued in May.  

SVdP will begin collecting donations when rebate checks are sent this spring. Donations can be made online at www.moreforthepoor.com; or by mail: Pledge for the Poor – SVdP Tax Rebate Fund, Van Elslander Family Center, 3000 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207. 
 
SVdP is a major provider of human and disaster relief services, assisting people in crisis who have been victims of fires or floods, lost their job, or other urgent situations by providing emergency support. The Society works in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Detroit, networking with 2,000 Vincentian volunteers in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, St. Clair and Monroe counties, assisting 30,000 local households annually. SVdP’s thrift stores in southeast Michigan support the Society’s other charitable operations including emergency food centers, youth summer camps, vehicle donation program and social services in the Van Elslander Family Center.

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