Pictured, from left, are Jody Mousseau, Karen Reese, Monsignor Jed Patrick, Iris Katers, Carol Yakovich, Dan Trotochaud and Patrick O’Boyle. (Journal photo by Annie Lippert)

MARQUETTE — Saint Vincent De Paul Marquette on Wednesday hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new addition, which will allow space for expanded programs and improve existing programs.

“Today marks an important step for the Marquette district,” said District President Karen Reese. “We will be able to serve our neighbors to a much greater degree once this project is completed. We are so excited.”

The addition and renovation come after the launch of the SVDP Marquette Capital Campaign back in March, including a lead gift from the Katers Foundation. The renovation will include updating the financial aid and food pantry areas to increase privacy, and updating the electrical and heating and cooling systems for the entire building. The addition will create space for offices, bathrooms, and a conference room which will be used for community programming such as nutrition classes.

“The facilities committee, our district board have worked on this for years and it’s exciting now to see it come together,” said Facilities Chair Dan Trotochaud. “This would not be possible without all of the very generous donors.”

“This addition … and in addition to that, some of the upgrades to the facility, the current store, pantry, financial aid office, will help serve our neighbors. And that’s really what we’re here for. We’re a volunteer organization that works very diligently, and spending your donations to help our neighbors, whether it’s their rent, or their utilities, or food pantry.”

The addition and all renovations are expected to be finished by early 2027.

Saint Vincent De Paul Marquette offers a variety of services to people in the Marquette community. From Oct. 1 2024 through Sept. 30 2025, it provided $39,646 for rent/eviction prevention, $31,743 for heat and utilities and $15,723 for a variety of other needs. In addition to that monetary support, SVDP Marquette loaned out 1,065 pieces of free medical equipment, issued 357 free vouchers to shop in their thrift store, delivered food from their pantry to 4,011 families and 9,700 individuals in Marquette and Gwinn and sent out 357 food baskets to families at Christmas, as well as provided gifts to 390 children and 36 adults living in group homes.

The number of families and individuals who have received services from the SVDP Marquette food pantry increased 18.6% and 16.7%, respectively, when compared to the previous year. SVDP Marquette says it expects that this trend will continue due to high rental costs, inflation and limited access to essential resources.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.