A charitable organization serving the poor in northern and central Arizona continues to commend its staff for being on-site during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Phoenix Diocesan Council for The Society of St. Vincent de Paul answered the coronavirus crisis by continuing “to feed, clothe, house and heal--particularly those who are most vulnerable,” according to its website. The organization now practices social distancing.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s recent commendation of staff is in the blog “Part 2: They’re still on-site & on the front lines.”

Six other on-site staff previously were commended in the blog “Part 1: Meet on-site & front line staff during COVID-19” such as a kitchen crew member, dining room manager, food reclamation distribution supervisor, Resource Center support specialist, information technology director and maintenance staff.

Staffer Adam Young, security team lead who is commended in “Part 2,”  helps maintain safety at the society’s sites. He takes people’s temperatures and provides them with masks if they’re entering the main campus by way of the front lobby, according to the blog “Part 2.”

“If we didn’t show up every day a lot of people would go hungry or without their needs met,” Young told the society.

Accounts payable staffer Lourdes Palacios helps ensure that people’s financial needs are met, according to the current blog. Palacios, an employee for over 40 years, frequently works on-site as the sole accountant during the coronavirus pandemic. She helps receive expense checks and helps staff receive paychecks.

“It’s important for my department to keep working during these times so that our staff can buy the necessary food and resources to help people in need and so that everyone can get paid on time,” Palacios told the coeity.

Other staff commended in the current blog are Maribeth Schmidt, operations manager of Ozanam Manor (transitional shelter for adults with disabilities, seniors and veterans); Joey Prieto, salvage warehouse supervisor; Cindy Bernardo, supervisor of the Dream Center (offers supplemental education programming); and Taylor Scarpelli, urban farmer who works the society’s Rob and Melani Walton Urban Farm.

The society’s Executive Director Steve Zabilski told the society that he’s grateful to all staff, publically recognized and unrecognized.

“We could celebrate a new group of passionate and devoted staff members for weeks to come because of the joy and commitment they all bring,” Zabilski told the society.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international nonprofit organization that serves the poor, according to a history about the organization.