How to Get Help from St. Vincent de Paul in the Atlanta Area
If you're in the Atlanta metro and facing an eviction notice, a shutoff, an empty pantry, or a prescription you can't afford, St. Vincent de Paul Georgia is one of the most substantial resources available to you. The organization runs programs across rent assistance, food access, healthcare, transportation, tax help, and more — and unlike many agencies, it operates through local volunteer teams embedded in neighborhoods across the metro, not just a single office. This page is a plain-English guide that explains how SVdP Georgia's programs actually work and what to do first.
The main assistance line is 678-892-6163. The website is https://svdpgeorgia.org/. When you call, you'll be asked to enter your zip code and connected to the local SVdP Conference — the volunteer team — serving your neighborhood. The Chamblee Service Center, which handles centralized programs including the pharmacy and financial coaching, is at 2050-C Chamblee Tucker Road in Chamblee (DeKalb County). It is generally open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.
How the local Conference system works — and why it matters
SVdP Georgia is not a single office. Across the Atlanta metro, more than 68 local Conferences operate through Catholic parishes in neighborhoods from Marietta to Stone Mountain to Lawrenceville. Each Conference is staffed by trained volunteer Vincentians who respond to calls, make home visits to assess needs, and determine what assistance their local funds can provide. The type and amount of help available varies by Conference and by when you call — funding is limited and fluctuates throughout the year. When you dial 678-892-6163 and enter your zip code, you're routed to the Conference covering your area.
This structure matters: it means a person in Gwinnett County isn't necessarily going to the same place as someone in Cobb County, and the availability of help at any given moment depends on what that local Conference has on hand.
Rent, mortgage, and utility assistance
When a family contacts SVdP Georgia about a housing emergency — an eviction filing, a past-due rent balance, a utility shutoff — the local Conference typically dispatches a volunteer for a home visit first. This in-person assessment is how SVdP Georgia has operated for decades, and it's what distinguishes it from a typical phone application process. The volunteer meets you where you are, understands the specifics of your situation, and determines what the Conference can provide.
Financial assistance for rent, mortgage, and utilities is available based on current funding. Payments go to the landlord or utility provider directly. Call the assistance line and enter your zip code to reach your local Conference — and call before your situation reaches a shutoff or eviction hearing, as funding windows can close.
Food pantries across the metro
SVdP Georgia operates about 40 food pantries statewide, the majority concentrated in the metro Atlanta area. These are run by individual Conferences in partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Kroger, and other donors. Many pantries offer a choice-based shopping model where clients select groceries from available inventory rather than receiving a pre-packed box — a format designed to respect cultural food preferences and household needs.
The pantry available to you depends on your zip code and which Conference serves your neighborhood. Call 678-892-6163 to find the food pantry nearest you and ask about its current schedule and any documentation you'll need to bring. Or see the Atlanta area food pantry page.
The SVdP Georgia Community Pharmacy — free prescriptions
One program that most people in the Atlanta area don't know exists: SVdP Georgia runs the only charitable pharmacy in the state of Georgia, based at the Chamblee Service Center. The pharmacy provides no-cost prescription medications to Georgia residents who cannot afford them and who meet eligibility requirements. This is not a discount program or a coupon service — it's a fully charitable pharmacy distributing maintenance medications at no charge to qualifying patients.
To request access, complete the eligibility form at https://svdpgeorgia.org/what-we-do/health/svdp-georgia-community-pharmacy-eligibility/ or call the Chamblee office. Given that Georgia has not expanded Medicaid, this program fills a meaningful gap for uninsured and underinsured adults who cannot access prescription coverage elsewhere.
Transportation help
The need to get somewhere — a doctor's appointment, a job interview, a social services office — is often what stands between someone and the help they need. SVdP Georgia's Essential Services program covers several forms of transportation assistance: MARTA cards for metro Atlanta public transit, gas cards, and in some cases help with car repair costs, a car payment, or insurance. What's available depends on your local Conference and current funding. Ask specifically when you call. If other options are needed, see the NHPB transportation assistance guide.
Clothing, furniture, and thrift store vouchers
SVdP Georgia operates around 10 thrift stores across the metro, with locations in Marietta, Kennesaw, Duluth, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Stone Mountain, Morrow, Dallas, and the Chamblee area. Stores carry clothing, shoes, housewares, and furniture at discounted prices. Proceeds stay in the local community and fund programs at the Conference level.
For clients who need clothing or basic household items but can't pay even thrift store prices, SVdP Georgia provides vouchers that allow qualifying individuals and families to shop at no cost. Ask about voucher availability when you contact your local Conference.
Free tax preparation — VITA
Each spring, SVdP Georgia partners with United Way of Greater Atlanta to provide free federal and state tax return preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. IRS-certified volunteers file returns for individuals with qualifying incomes and help working families claim credits including the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. SVdP Georgia's VITA program serves individuals with annual incomes up to $60,000. VITA sites operate at community locations across the metro during tax season — contact the Chamblee office or watch svdpgeorgia.org for current season dates and locations.
Benefits enrollment help
SVdP Georgia provides eligibility screening and enrollment assistance for SNAP, TANF, PeachCare for Kids, Medicaid, and other programs. If you're unsure whether you qualify for state or federal benefits — or you've qualified before and need help re-enrolling — a caseworker can walk through the process with you. This service is available through the Chamblee Service Center and some local Conferences.
Financial coaching and life skills
The Chamblee Service Center offers one-on-one personalized financial literacy coaching. It is generally on Thursdays from 2 to 3 p.m., available in person, virtually, or in a group session. A weekly adult life skills class — focused on practical tools for navigating challenges — generally runs on Tuesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m., led by a certified instructor. Both programs are open to community members seeking support; contact the Chamblee office to register.
Transitional housing for women and children
St. Michael's House provides transitional housing for homeless women and their children 12 and under in the Cherokee County area, northwest of Atlanta. Residents receive housing along with meals, employment assistance, budgeting classes, basic computer classes, and nutrition education while working toward stable, independent living. The program focuses on single mothers. To inquire about availability, call 678-892-6163 and explain your situation — waitlists and intake processes vary.
How to contact SVdP Georgia
There are multiple ways to contact the agency above. The main assistance line (routes to your local Conference by zip code): 678-892-6163. Other contact information includes Chamblee Service Center: 2050-C Chamblee Tucker Road, Chamblee, GA 30341 — (678) 892-6160. Website: svdpgeorgia.org
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