Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities offer help following March tornadoes

Photos by Jacob Wiegand | jacobwiegand@archstl.org Society of St. Vincent de Paul volunteers Jane Saggio and Kim Gossett prayed with Beverly LaVear of Arnold at a Multi-Agency Resource Center event March 31 at the City of Arnold Recreation Center. The MARC event featured agencies — including Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul — who were on site to help people affected by the recent tornadoes and storms.

Catholic Charities, Society of St. Vincent de Paul assess individual needs at Multi-Agency Resource Centers

Jennifer Brinker

Submitted on April 4, 2025

Carol Schaeffer was headed to the basement with her husband Bill just behind her when a tornado struck their Arnold neighborhood on March 14.

After the storm passed, the couple emerged to broken glass and debris scattered throughout the main level of their brick home. A ceiling fan blade had shattered one of the windows. Outside, the Schaeffers had damage to their roof, siding and brick chimney.

Nancy Schmidt, right, a parishioner at St. John the Beloved Disciple in Imperial, and Kathy Carey of Arnold met with representatives from Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis at a Multi-Agency Resource Center event March 31 at the City of Arnold Recreation Center. The MARC event featured agencies who were on site to help people affected by the recent tornadoes and storms.

It could have been worse, they said. Several neighbors across the street were hit even harder and cannot live in their homes. The widespread storms that swept through Missouri on March 14 produced at least 13 tornadoes across the state, according to the National Weather Service. The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed 12 fatalities. The strong low-pressure system that caused the outbreak also resulted in strong non-thunderstorm winds, which caused wind damage and wildfires in Missouri and Illinois.

“We were blessed that we did not get water damage, but we had a lot of debris,” Carol Schaeffer said. “And, I mean, a chimney, who would have thought a (brick) chimney? We’re thankful we’re alive.”

The Schaeffers were among hundreds of people who visited a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) on March 31 at the Arnold Recreation Center. Missouri’s State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Red Cross held several MARCs across the state in late March and early April, including in Florissant, Pacific and Perryville.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis were among more than a dozen state agencies and other organizations that participated the MARCs, which include recovery resources and support services for communities impacted by disasters, including cleaning supplies, insurance information, food stamp replacement, emergency financial assistance, legal services and more.

The Schaeffers met with St. Vincent de Paul volunteers and staff, who assessed their needs, provided them with a Schnucks gift certificate and prayed with them. The society provided MARC participants with monetary help, thrift store vouchers and connected neighbors with more resources. The needs are prioritized and referrals are made to the society’s parish-based conferences.

“We respond to the immediate needs, but the reality is the society will still be here for them a year later,” executive director John Foppe said. “Because of the generosity of donors, we’re able to help with their basic needs. We often see cases come back through” especially those who have been displaced and need help setting up once they’ve returned to their homes.

Carol and Bill Schaeffer of Arnold prayed with Society of St. Vincent de Paul volunteers Kim Gossett, left, and Jane Saggio at a Multi-Agency Resource Center event March 31 at the City of Arnold Recreation Center.

It’s what’s known as a “theology of presence,” Foppe said, where Vincentian volunteers in twos accompany their neighbors in need of help. In addition to addressing the tangible needs, Vincentians offer a listening ear or an opportunity to pray together. “We evangelize through our presence,” he said.

The society is collaborating with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, which assists individuals and families by addressing urgent concerns and long-term recovery. Catholic Charities will receive funds from a special collection held at Masses March 29-30 to benefit those affected by the storms.

A wide breadth of needs will need to be prioritized, with some individuals receiving case management. “We’re trying to focus on folks that have a major or destroyed designation on their damage assessment,” said Ben Perrin, Catholic Charities’ director of disaster services. “That doesn’t mean those are the only people we’re seeing, but that’s folks we’re trying to get — the greatest need first.”

Roof damage is one of the biggest areas where people need help, Perrin said. “People have insurance but the cost of the deductible is a big barrier,” he said. “We see specifically with this disaster as an area where we can potentially help. That would take us doing some case management to confirm the need is there.”

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) for public infrastructure across 25 counties, an important step in obtaining a federal disaster declaration.

In addition to public infrastructure assessments, PDAs for individual assistance have begun, which would support eligible residents with temporary housing, repairs and replacement of damaged belongings. Clean-up and recovery efforts are ongoing across the state.