Vinnies SA celebrates 2500-strong volunteer network on National Volunteer Week
St Vincent de Paul Society South Australia
To mark National Volunteer Week, the St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies SA) is celebrating the extraordinary people who quietly show up for others every day, the more than 2,500 volunteers whose kindness, generosity and compassion help support communities across South Australia.
At a time when new national data shows more Australians are struggling than ever before, Vinnies SA volunteers continue to provide practical help, human connection and hope to people facing hardship, homelessness, isolation and uncertainty.
The 2026 Vinnies YouGov Cost-of-Living Report, released this week, found that more than half of Australians (55%) say they are doing it tough, while one in three say they have no financial safety net at all.
For Vinnies SA CEO Clinton Jury, the findings reflect what volunteers across the state are already seeing first-hand.
“Our volunteers see the reality behind these statistics every single day,” Mr Jury said.
“They meet people who are skipping meals to pay bills, families who are one unexpected expense away from crisis, women and children escaping violence, people sleeping rough, and newly arrived families trying to build a life from scratch.
“What makes me incredibly proud is that our volunteers respond with compassion, dignity and practical support, often quietly, without recognition, and simply because they care.”
Across South Australia, Vinnies volunteers contribute thousands of hours supporting people through services including:
- 10 Fred’s Van meal services
- Members providing direct financial and material aid to people in need
- 32 Vinnies shops
- Women’s and men’s crisis accommodation
- Refugee and asylum seeker support
- Warehouse and logistics support
- Advocacy and governance
- Administrative and behind-the-scenes assistance.
Together, these volunteers enable Vinnies SA to support almost 60,000 South Australians every year.
Mr Jury said National Volunteer Week was an opportunity not only to thank existing volunteers, but to encourage others to consider becoming involved.
“There is no single type of Vinnies volunteer,” he said. “Our volunteers come from all walks of life and all ages. Some help serve meals, some sort donations, some provide direct support to families, and others simply offer their time, listening ear and presence.
“Every single volunteer helps create something powerful, the reassurance that nobody has to face hardship alone.
“For many people, volunteering starts with simply wanting to help in some small way.
“What they often discover is that volunteering changes them too. It creates connection, purpose, friendship and a deeper sense of community.
“We could not do this work without our volunteers. They are the heart of Vinnies.
“This National Volunteer Week, we simply want to say thank you, for the meals served, the conversations had, the dignity offered, the kindness shown, and the countless moments of care that make our communities stronger every day.”
About us:
The St Vincent de Paul Society has been an integral part of the South Australian community for more than 140 years, since 1884. Providing assistance throughout metropolitan and regional SA, Vinnies is committed to assisting people experiencing disadvantage with a hand up through a focus on food, clothing, shelter and capacity building.
Services include:
· Vinnies Assistance Visit program which supports approximately 60,000 South Australians each year with food, clothing, furniture and emergency financial assistance.
· Vinnies Men’s Crisis Centre, accommodating almost 300 men each year
· Vinnies Women’s Crisis Centre, accommodating almost women and children and 115 pets each year
· Vinnies Refugee & Asylum Seeker Service
· Fred’s Van meal service – serving 40,000 meals across 10 locations in SA
Along with practical support, Vinnies offers a compassionate, non-judgmental approach to supporting people in need, and we advocate on behalf of those who do not have a voice on issues such as the need for more affordable housing; the inadequacy of social security payments; refugee and asylum seeker policy and more.
Contact details:
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 0419 940 721