On Thursday 19 June 2025, 152 CEOs, business and community leaders and their teams stood together at Victoria’s 15^th Vinnies CEO Sleepout held at the South Melbourne Market. 

The St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria extends their sincere thanks to each and every one who participated. The funds raised from this year’s CEO Sleepout will directly support our frontline service, Vinnies Soup Vans, helping to keep the vans on the road, meals in hands and dignity alive for thousands of Victorians doing it tough. 

#DriveTheChange #StVincentdePaulSocietyVictoria 

Today (19 June 2025) sees the opening of Vinnies Moonee Ponds located at 27 Puckle Street, Moonee Ponds.

Come join us and explore the new shop...filled with incredible finds, amazing deals and a friendly from our Vinnies volunteers. 

Located in the heart of Puckle Street, we hope to see you soon.

Vinnies Moonee Ponds, 27 Puckle Street, Moonee Ponds

You'll love what you find!

On Thursday 22 May 2025, more than 200 Vinnies Soup Van volunteers, supporters, members and friends gathered at Melbourne Town Hall for a special thank-you event honouring the 5,000+ Vinnies Soup Van volunteers who have served over the years.

From a group of young people serving vegetable soup in Fitzroy 1975 to a service that now provides over 800,000 meals a year to people from all walks of life.  

The Vinnies Soup Van service was established on 26 June 1975. This year we celebrate a service that has brought food and friendship to thousands living on the streets and in boarding houses across Victoria.

We thank the 5,000+ volunteers (known affectionately as Vannies) who have been part of the Vinnies Soup Vans' 50 year journey and touched the lives of so many, giving them hope.

Abigail and Isabella grew up in a volatile household that was ultimately upended when their parents separated. This resulted in them moving interstate with their mother where they were isolated from family and friends.

Their situation did not improve with housing instability and anxiety levels rising. The sisters were left with no choice but to spend a period of time living out of a car.

The experience of having no fixed address saw the sisters move back to live with their father in the hope of stability. Unfortunately, what they returned to was an overcrowded apartment that offered no respite from the trauma they had endured.

Eventually the sisters were accepted for temporary accommodation which put them in touch with Vinnies.

Since then the sisters' life have stabilised and keeps getting better.

Rick, never imagined life would turn out this way. After health issues, a divorce and financial hardship he lost his home and now sleeps in his car during the week, parked near his worksite. On weekends, he retreats to an old caravan in an isolated park 25 kilometres from the nearest town where he can stretch out and get some rest.

A chance meeting with our soup vans has made a huge difference for Rick. Initially with the provision of basic needs like food and now more substantially with ongoing support.

 “I never thought hot soup could mean so much, but it did. It made me feel like someone actually cared.”

Bec’s life changed forever due to her husband’s violent outbursts. Escaping from her home, Bec was battered, bruised and fearing for her life but determined to find safety even though her options were painfully limited.

With nowhere else to go, Bec – being in her mid-forties – made the tough decision to live out of her car which she felt was the safest option.

A chance encounter with one of our soup vans changed Bec's life by providing urgent essentials and then working through other issues.  

"I’m so grateful not just for the food but for the reminder that I’m not alone in this."

VincentCare's team provided a network of support to ensure Harry found stability, dignity and peace of mind.

For more than 14 years, Harry* lived in a precarious housing situation, renting a room in Brunswick West with a former colleague who owned the property. While this arrangement initially provided him with a place to stay, over time, his living conditions became increasingly difficult.

Harry faced significant restrictions in his home, such as being unable to turn on the heater in shared spaces and his privacy was frequently invaded, with his housemate entering his room unannounced. Without a formal lease or rental receipts, Harry lived in constant fear of eviction, unsure of his rights and options. His fear of standing up to his former colleague left him feeling powerless and isolated.