Sheriff Lee Baca and Former Mayor Richard Riordan Headline Fat Monday Luncheon Benefit for Saint Vincent de Paul

LOS ANGELES, March 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, March 7, 2011 leaders from throughout Southern California will come together at the California Club in downtown Los Angeles to celebrate Lundi Gras aka "Fat Monday," the day before Mardi Gras aka "Fat Tuesday," and benefit the great works of the Los Angeles Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

The event will kick off at 11am with a mass celebrated by Fr. Jack Cawley, CM, Vice Rector of St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, and Fr. Pedro Villarroya, CM, Spiritual Advisor Los Angeles Council.  After a brief reception and Mardi Gras parade, a Creole-style lunch will be served while guests will enjoy a fashion show featuring chic wear from the Societe Boutique at Society of St. Vincent de Paul, all of which will be available for auction.  Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca will then introduce special guest speaker, former Mayor of Los Angeles, Mr. Richard Riordan.  

Though there is no charge to attend the event, donations to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are strongly encouraged. Proceeds from the event will support the Society's Circle V Ranch Camp and the Cardinal Manning Center.

The following table hosts will be in attendance:

"We are thrilled to begin this new tradition of showing off the fashionable clothing we sell daily at our stores.  We're also looking forward to telling more of our story to the downtown business and civic leaders gathering for this event," said Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Executive Director, David Fields.

"I am honored to support an organization that provides vital services to our community by promoting dignity and alleviating suffering for those who find themselves without shelter and other basic necessities," said Richard Riordan.  

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council of Los Angeles has served Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles Counties for more than a century by providing programs and services to children, the homeless and the poor.  While 25% of children in Los Angeles County, 19% of children in Santa Barbara County and 21% of children in Ventura County live below the poverty line, the Society provides basic services to families and children who are seven times more likely to be the victims of child abuse or neglect than their higher income peers, and have an increased likelihood of exposure to drugs, AIDS, low birth weights and poor nutrition.

David Fields is available for interviews prior to and following the luncheon on March 7.  

For interviews please contact Meggan McCarthy at People Media, (213) 674-4346 x 228 or [email protected]

About Saint Vincent de Paul Society

For over 100 years, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council of Los Angeles has provided programs and services for children, the homeless and the poor within the counties of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara that are free of charge regardless of religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, handicap or national origin.  On any given night in Los Angeles, over 43,000 people are homeless. Almost 20% of these families include children - the highest homeless population for any major metropolitan area in the country.  For more than 50 years, the Cardinal Manning Center, operated by the Society, has enabled homeless men and women with children to stabilize their life circumstances, regain their self-sufficiency and find permanent housing and employment. The Center provides its clients with countless services, including individual therapy, employment, budgeting and financial counseling, case-management and a computer learning center.  For more information visit http://www.svdpla.org/ or contact Brian Pickering by phone (323) 224-6273 or email [email protected].

For more information on the event or to reserve your space, contact Meggan McCarthy at People Media, (213) 674-4346 x 228 or [email protected].

SOURCE Saint Vincent de Paul Society