ST. VINCENT DEPAUL MIDDLETOWN (SVDM) WAS FOUNDED IN 1980 BY THE SISTERS OF MERCY AND THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF NORWICH. SVDM'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE FOOD, SHELTER AND BASIC HUMAN SERVICES TO POOR AND HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS REGARDLESS OF RACE, CREED, NATURAL ORIGIN, CRIMINAL HISTORY OR RECIDIVISM. SVDM IS A FOUR-PRONGED MISSION. SVDM'S SOUP KITCHEN SERVES APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MEALS ANNUALLY. ST VINCENT'S GARDENS, A SERIES OF MICRO-PROGRAMS, ENCOURAGES SOUP KITCHEN GUESTS TO PARTICIPATE IN LIGHT FARMING, COMMUNITY CLEANING AND OTHER HEALTHY ACTIVITIES, LEADING TO A REDUCTION OF SUSBSTANCE USE AND IDLENESS. SVDM'S COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CONNECTS 500 PEOPLE TO COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES AND EMERGENCY FUNDS. PEOPLE CAN APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE THAT MAY INCLUDE SECURITY DEPOSITS, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, CLOTHING, TRANSPORTATION AND IDENTIFICATION. AMAZING GRACE FOOD PANTRY CURRENTLY PROVIDES GROCERIES TO APPROXIMATELY 1,000 FAMILIES EACH MONTH INCLUDING DELIVERIES TO OUTPATIENT CANCER PATIENT AND