MATTOON - For almost 200 years, the poor and needy of the world have found a friend in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. On Saturday, Sept. 27, the Society will hold its first nationwide "Friends of the Poor Walk," which it hopes will become an annual event. The walk falls on the 175th international anniversary of the Society.

The Mattoon Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is hosting a walk for the poor that day which will take place in Peterson Park in Mattoon, starting at 8 a.m. Anyone interested in walking, making a pledge or volunteering for the event can call Bob Beall at (217) 234-1347.

Pledge money collected will go toward helping those in need in the Mattoon area by providing assistance with utility bills, rent, medicines, food, and other related things.

Members of the Mattoon St. Vincent de Paul Society say they have noticed an increased need for assistance from its clients in the last few years. Cost of living increases, such as higher utility bills and high food prices, have made a huge difference in the number of client the Mattoon Society sees, said Carole Genta, a member of the St. Vincent Society.

"There have been times when the Society could barely keep up with the demand for help," Genta said. "You too can be a ‘friend of the poor' by participating in this event. Please join us and help us to do ‘a little good.'"