What is the Black Bag Collection?
The Black Bag Collection is an annual opportunity for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to reach more than 1.7 million Catholics in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and ask for their help to support the poor and vulnerable in our community. The collection is a symbol of ONE SOCIETY coming together to help those in need.
We rely heavily on this major source of funds for the Society to continue to accommodate the needs of our brothers and sisters who are without basic life essentials—most of which we so often take for granted.
In 1833, our founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and the original members realized they needed money to fund their good works of charity. Because the giving capacity of the members varied, they decided to pass around a simple black bag so that each member could give what they could afford to give. Today, we continue this tradition.
This year's Black Bag Collection will be a special or 2nd collection at all parishes during the weekend of JULY 12-13, 2025. We ask for your generosity to continue serving our neighbors in need.
Bulletin Announcements
ENGLISH
Please support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Annual Black Bag Collection the weekend of July 12-13, 2025. Donations will help the Society provide food and financial assistance to families struggling to make ends meet. With the increasing cost of living, your support can make a difference.
SPANISH
La Sociedad de San Vicente de Paul los invita a participar en la Colecta Anual de la Bolsa Negra el 12-13 de Julio del 2025. Sus donaciones ayudaran la misión de proveer necesidades básicas, como comida, ayuda financiera, a familias con escasos recursos.
VIETNAMESE
Xin hỗ trợ chương trình gây quỹ hằng năm của Hội Thánh Vinh Sơn Phaolô vào cuối tuần ngày 12-13, Tháng Bảy năm 2025. Mọi đóng góp sẽ được dùng vào việc mua thực phẩm, quần áo, yểm trợ tài chính cho những gia đình gặp hoàn cảnh khó khăn. Với lạm phát đang gia tăng, sự đóng góp của quý vị có thể thay đổi cuộc sống của họ.
Flocknote/Email Messages
Email #1
Send around July 1, 2025
(Subject Line) July 12-13, 2025: Annual Black Bag Collection
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be holding their Annual Black Bag Collection the weekend of July 20-21, 2024. Our parish needs your help to support one of the oldest Catholic organizations serving the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. There are more than 1.7 million Catholics in our Archdiocese.
With your help, we can strengthen our network of charity programs that provide food, clothing, and financial assistance to the struggling working-poor in our area. Donate or learn more about the Black Bag collection at: www.svdphouston.org/blackbag.
Email #2
Send around July 10, 2025
(Subject Line) July 12-13, 2025: Support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Annual Black Bag Collection is the organization’s single, largest fundraiser. The funds raised are used towards program support and general operations support to keep the programs running.
Please consider making a gift this weekend July 20-21, 2024, in support of the Society. Last year, your support helped over 98,000 people! Learn more about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s community impact at www.svdphouston.org/blackbag.
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Social Media Posts
The parish social media coordinator can use these posts to help the Society of St. Vincent de Paul spread the word about the Black Bag Collection. Please make sure to tag the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in your social media posts! Find us on social media using the accounts below or look for us under Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. If you cannot find us, please use #SVDPHouston.
Post #1
Publish the week of June 8, 2025
Mark your calendar! JULY 12-13, 2025. Join your fellow parishioners in donating to the Annual Black Bag Collection of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
Unlike many of our local Catholic organizations, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul does not receive DSF funding. Your generosity will help their programs serve people in our community with food, financial assistance, and other much needed basic needs. Visit their website for more information: www.svdphouston.org/blackbag #SVDPHouston
Post #4
Publish the week of July 6, 2025
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Annual Black Bag Collection will be active between JULY 12-13, 2025. Please be generous in your giving during this weekend's special collection. Thank you for all your support in ensuring the success of the Society’s largest fundraiser of the year. #SVDPHouston
Post #2
Publish the week of June 15, 2025
Join your fellow parishioners this month in supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, one of Houston’s oldest Catholic organizations serving the needs of the poor through their unique Home Visit Ministry. A 2nd collection will be held JULY 12-13, 2025.
In 2024, SVdP Houston helped 6,300 families with rental assistance. The average assistance provided was $486 per household. Check out their 2024 Impact Report to learn more about their mission: www.svdphouston.org/blackbag. #SVDPHouston
Post #3
Publish the week of June 30, 2025
Please consider donating to the Annual Black Bag Collection next weekend, JULY 12-13, 2025, to continue fueling the services provided by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Last year, volunteers of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul spent 132,000 hours serving our friends and neighbors in need across the Greater Houston area. Our communities are stronger because of these amazing volunteers. Their contributions are a critical component of SVdP Houston's core mission of providing person-to-person service to all in need.
Learn more at www.svdphouston.org/blackbag. #SVDPHouston
Downloadable Graphics to Share
Please feel free to download any or all of these graphics to share via Flocknote, social media posts or in your parish bulletin.
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