Virginia Beach area Society of St. Vincent de Paul assistance programs.
Multiple parishes in Virginia Beach help the less fortunate, poor, and vulnerable. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides emergency assistance ranging from free food from a pantry to emergency rent or electric bill help, diapers, pregnancy counseling services, free furniture from a furniture bank and more. The main SVDP parish for the region is Saint Matthew Catholic Church and they offer some of their own support plus referrals to other agencies, such as Catholic Charities.
The most common assistance program in Virginia Beach will be the free food pantry. There may be canned or fresh food plus volunteers from the parish who may deliver to the homebound in Virginia Beach. When funding allows, there may be some emergency funds to help pay for housing costs such as rent. Or maybe a light or electric bill to keep the power on. Or other “one-off” expenses or needs, such as furniture or a bed.
Hunger prevention from a free pantry from SVDP in Virginia Beach
Some of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul services were created to address the needs of the hungry in the Virginia Beach community. To help feed people, for both short term or medium term needs, there is a free soup kitchen as well as food pantry. Donations as well as volunteers to operate the centers come from Saint Matthew Catholic Church as well as other different regions and partners. They include local churches such as Catholic Charities, the federal government USDA sponsored Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), local restaurants, Salvation Army centers, corporations, and individuals. There is even information on Virginia SNAP food stamps public benefits.
When it comes to the soup kitchen, this location will offer a hot, nutritionally balanced meal a few times a week from the church to anyone who is hungry. Guests of this center generally include the homeless and people living in poverty. Examples of clients include people who are living in shelters or so called rooming (transitional) houses. There are dozens of people who normally receive some meal on a weekly basis.
As far as the free food pantry, this is an option as well. This is generally for a slightly different clientele, but anyone can apply for a free box of groceries. It will generally help struggling families that are just seeking a little assistance as they try to stretch their monthly budget. The food pantry will often assist elderly persons, many of them who live on a fixed income. Clients also range from the physically and/or mentally impaired in Virginia Beach.
Over the last few years there have been hundreds of lunches, dinners, and breakfasts served. There have been thousands of volunteers hours given to Saint Vincent de Paul in Virginia Beach over the year, and countless support from area congregations as well as charity partners. The fact is that every meal served or every box of groceries passed out from the food pantry allows families or individuals to save money. Then those funds can be freed up for paying other bills, whether a health insurance premium or housing/shelter. The social component is priceless in some cases. The phone number to the SVDP pantry is 757-420-7352.
Additional financial help and counseling from St. Vincent
Another main focus is on helping either (1) pregnant women and/or (2) new moms or (3) single mothers. There is free counseling around what to do with a baby, how to get assistance raising the newborn (such as free diapers of infant formula), details on public aid in Virginia Beach and more. Society of Saint Vincent and Saint Matthew Catholic Church always work to encourage healthy family development both for the mom and kids. Counseling can help here. Find other emergency assistance for single moms
Additional one time, short term financial aid from be offered from St. Vincent de Paul in Virginia Beach. This is done in partnership with Catholic Charities and other groups. The assistance is based on need and may include:
- -Free household supplies ranging from furniture to beds, couches, and more.
- -A few dollars to help pay some critical bills, whether it is utilities, rent, mortgages, a tank of gasoline for work or something else.
- -Winter clothes, attire, desks, educational supplies and critical items.
A low cost thrift store in Virginia Beach is used for household supplies. There is also a free clothing closet as well as furniture bank that SVDP can give items out from, based on what was donated. Other help may be offered too.
Applying for help from Virginia Beach Saint Vincent de Paul
For any type of financial aid (for bills, housing, etc.), call 757-467-7707. As far as other support from the Society, whether food, clothes, counseling, furniture or something else, dial 757-420-6310. The main SVDP Saint Matthew Catholic Church is at 3314 Sandra Lane, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.
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