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Hunger isn’t just in developing countries, it’s right here in our own backyard. Many may not know where their next meal is going to come from, which is why we take food insecurity seriously. Every day, roughly 345 people step foot inside the Open Hand Kitchen to receive a free lunch or dinner—no questions asked. We serve people with a variety of backgrounds, such as babies, toddlers, teenagers, single parents, Veterans, and seniors. These can be our existing clients on-campus and those in the community. Volunteering in the Open Hand Kitchen for an hour can be a simple way to fight food insecurity!

The newly opened SVDP Drop-In Center, in partnership with Louisville Metro Government, is a safe space to help adults (male and female) navigate barriers to obtaining housing and employment. We are providing a welcoming space where guests can come as they are, without appointments or barriers. As a volunteer, your presence will help us to extend hospitality to our guests in the Center, ensuring that each person feels seen, respected, and valued.

Many of the residents on our campus say this is their home, and we want to keep it that way. We have roughly 225 individuals on campus every night who depend on us to provide a clean and safe environment for themselves and their families. With a large campus footprint, including owned and leased property totaling approximately 200,000 sq. ft., our buildings require regular maintenance and significant upkeep. Campus beatification projects are a perfect way to serve side-by-side with your group to help landscape, paint, do general clean-up, and more! So, if you like working with your hands and being on your feet, then this is the place for you!

Conferences are the heart and soul of St. Vincent de Paul Louisville, where compassion meets action. They are in the prevention business, meaning they stand in the gap for those who are one paycheck away from entering homelessness. With 27 parish-based conferences spread across Louisville and Central Kentucky, our 629 SVDP Members respond with urgency to those in need. They offer assistance with rent, food, clothing, and utility bills. Each day, they are a lifeline for those struggling—providing not just help—but hope. You can connect to a conference today! 

When you say yes to volunteering at one of our three Thrift Store locations, you’re signing up for a lot more than simply sorting gently used items. One hundred percent of the net profits are funneled back into our housing, feeding, and supportive programs. On the other side of every purchase is an individual or family struggling to make ends meet. That’s why we want to steward every donation and ensure every customer has a quality experience and easily finds the items they need. Rather than gently used goods finding their way into landfills, these funds go directly to those in need!

We can accomplish more together! Organizing a drive is the perfect opportunity for any size group to team up to help those in need! Whether you would like to host a Food Drive, assemble welcome baskets for new residents, or stock the shelves with personal hygiene kits, we have plenty of options for groups to get involved. Through our housing and feeding programs, we are saving lives every day. It’s the little things that can make a big difference in the lives of our clients. Your non-perishable food or personal hygiene items will find a home. Our staff will work with you to make the process as smooth as possible by equipping you with donation boxes and a personalized flyer to promote your drive.

If you need credit hours for school or community service hours, we can help. We will typically have you serve in the Open Hand Kitchen. We only ask you to let us know a few things:

• How many hours do you need?
• When do they have to be completed?
• What days/times are you available to serve?

If you need credit hours for high school, you must be 16 years old to serve behind the steam table; 13- to 15-year-old students can pass out silverware or dessert and fill cups of water. For those interested in serving at our Family Success Center, you must be able to stay at least two to three hours and we prefer you be in high school.