St. Vincent de Paul launched its yearlong 100th anniversary celebration with a community luncheon on April 23 at the Alliant Energy Center.
The organization, known for its thrift stores and charitable programs, is marking a century of service in Dane County. Hundreds attended the luncheon, which followed a morning mass with about 300 participants. The event highlighted the organization’s impact since its founding in 1925.
“Here in Dane County, we are kicking off 100 years of service thanks to people like you,” said CEO Julie Bennett. “Thank you for alleviating the suffering of Dane County families. It’s absolutely overwhelming to think how many lives you’ve touched over 100 years of service and what our community would be like without our collective effort.”
In addition to its local centennial, the date also marked the 192nd anniversary of the founding of the international Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the 212th birthday of its founder, Frédéric Ozanam.
Bennett encouraged attendees to reflect on their own experiences, asking, “What’s your St. Vinny’s story?”
So far this year, St. Vincent de Paul has served tens of thousands of families through its various programs, including clothing vouchers, food pantry assistance, furniture donations, free pharmacy services, microloans, storage for people experiencing homelessness, and support through the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Program.
Representatives from both the Mayor’s Office and Governor’s Office attended the luncheon and issued a joint proclamation. Deputy Mayor Katie Crawley, who also serves on the board of directors, read the proclamation and shared some of the organization’s major milestones.
One notable milestone was the opening of St. Vincent de Paul’s first thrift store on Williamson Street in 1954. That store has served the Madison community for decades and recently underwent major renovations to expand both its retail and charitable services ahead of the centennial.
The proclamation concluded by declaring April 23, 2025, as “Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Madison Day.”
To honor its history, the organization also produced a 90-minute video featuring a roundtable discussion in which longtime supporters shared personal stories. The video will be available soon on the organization’s website.
More centennial events are planned throughout the year, including a traveling historical exhibit at local parishes and thrift stores, as well as a gala scheduled for September.
