September 23, 2025 // Bishop

A Good Walk for a Great Cause

Todays Catholic

St. Vincent de Paul Society Hosts Walk for Hope in Fort Wayne

After a rainy morning in Fort Wayne on Sunday, September 21, the weather cleared for the faithful who came from throughout the diocese to participate in the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s annual Walk for Hope – a fundraising event that celebrated its ninth year. Bishop Rhoades began the festivities at Parkview Field with a blessing before participants walked to raise money that will help St. Vincent de Paul Society members provide assistance to those in need in the Fort Wayne community.

Lara Schreck, executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Fort Wayne, told Today’s Catholic that 17 parish affiliates of the society were represented at the walk, with more than 400 participants and volunteers taking part in the event. Schreck said it was the largest turnout in the nine years the society has hosted the walk. This year’s event also set a record by raising more than $110,000 to help the society meet the needs of the community.

“It was truly heartwarming to see so many people come downtown to show their support for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the families we serve,” Schreck said. “SVdP is one of the largest providers of emergency food, rent, and utility assistance in the Fort Wayne area, and we will be able to feed more of our neighbors and keep them in their homes because of the funding raised from this event. We are so thankful to the generous donors, volunteers, and walkers who have put their faith in action to bring hope and love to our brothers and sisters in Christ.”

To learn more about the mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, or to donate, visit their website at svdpfortwayne.org.

Members of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church pose for a photo during the Walk for Hope, a fundraising initiative hosted by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Fort Wayne on Sunday, September 21, at Parkview Field. Participants had the option of walking one-third of a mile, a mile and a quarter, or three miles. Officials with the St. Vincent de Paul Soceity set a fundraising goal of $100,000 and noted that the money raised would be used to provide food, rent, utilities, transportation, clothing, furniture, and home repairs to families in need. Photos by Joe Romie