A hot lunch downtown, a take-home meal in North Baton Rouge, or groceries from a local pantry can make a real difference for someone who is struggling to afford food. St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge offers food assistance through its Dining Room, the St. Gerard Majella meal program, Bags of Hope, and parish-based food pantries, meeting a variety of needs across the area. According to our 2025 Annual Report, St. Vincent de Paul served 307,513 meals through its Dining Room a

Every night, families across Greater Baton Rouge face a question no parent should ever have to answer: Where will we sleep tonight? For families experiencing homelessness, the crisis is rarely caused by a single moment. It can begin with a lost job, a medical emergency, domestic violence, rising housing costs, or a financial setback that becomes impossible to overcome. For families already living paycheck to paycheck, one unexpected challenge can quickly lead to losing their

Losing a home or having to move suddenly is stressful and uncertain for any family. Many also worry about what will happen to their pets. To address this issue, St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge (SVDPBR) and the Companion Animal Alliance (CAA) are working together. They have launched a new program to give families emergency shelter and support when they need it most. Through CAA's Safety Net Program, pet owners in crisis can have their animals placed in temporary foster care

For Jesse, homelessness did not happen all at once. It began when the Baton Rouge apartment complex where Jesse lived with his wife and three children shut down, forcing everyone to leave. Jesse did everything he could to keep his family together and find them a place to live. For a while, he managed. The family moved into a hotel, and Jesse used his paycheck to cover their room each week. But when his job became uncertain, their housing did too. Soon, they had to start payin

Each morning at St. Vincent de Paul's Sweet Dreams Shelter, yellow school buses pull up to collect children staying with their families at the shelter. Backpacks slung over their shoulders, they step aboard for what appears to be an ordinary school day. For these children and their parents, however, that daily routine represents something much greater– a return to stability after a season marked by uncertainty. At St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge’s Sweet Dreams Shelter, fam

St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge will open emergency Cooling Centers this weekend to help neighbors find relief from dangerous heat. Extreme heat is expected across the Greater Baton Rouge area, with the National Weather Service and local emergency officials warning that these conditions can pose serious health risks, especially for vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, older adults and those without access to air conditioning. In response

This month, we're proud to spotlight Mr. Terry Buckhalter! In June alone, Mr. Terry generously volunteered nearly 20 hours alongside our Dining Room team. Most often, you'll find him sorting and organizing food donations, helping ensure our staff can quickly locate the items they need to serve our neighbors efficiently. Mr. Terry is always ready to lend a helping hand, whether he's unloading a delivery truck, assisting wherever the need is greatest, or sharing with young volu

Summer is here, but we're already planning for the first day of school with the kickoff of this year's Uniforms for Kids campaign. Each year, our community ensures that local children return to school feeling confident by providing new uniforms to families in need. For many parents, buying uniforms for several children is a challenge. Uniforms for Kids eases this burden and helps students start school ready to learn. At St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge, we believe a new uni

There's something about a summer cookout that brings people together. Maybe it's the smell of food on the grill, the laughter around the table, or the feeling of gathering with friends and family on a warm afternoon. Those moments remind us that sharing a meal is about more than food; it's about community, connection, and making people feel welcome. That's the inspiration behind our Summer Cookout Fridays, a special seasonal tradition in The Dining Room at St. Vincent de Paul

A meal can do more than satisfy hunger. It can create a connection, offer comfort, and remind someone that they are valued. That belief is at the heart of Neighbors at the Table, St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge's new volunteer program that invites community members to purchase, prepare, and serve meals for guests staying in our shelters. Building on the legacy of our longtime Manna Givers program, Neighbors at the Table continues a tradition of hospitality that has been pa

This spring has been an exciting season at St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge. With the opening of two new retail locations, SVDP is expanding its ability to serve neighbors and share Christ’s love in new ways throughout the community. On May 16, SVDP celebrated the opening of Rosalie’s Boutique, its first upscale resale store. Just a few weeks later, on June 6, SVDP opened the Holmes Thrift Store and Outreach Center, its fifth thrift store and first location to combine retai

This year’s Fill A Prescription campaign has raised more than $55,000 so far, with donations continuing to come in. More than 175 churches, faith communities, pharmacies, and businesses across the Greater Baton Rouge area participated by hosting donation canisters and encouraging their customers, parishioners, and communities to support St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge’s Community Pharmacy.

Sunnie Johnson-Lain, President and CEO of St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge, cuts the ribbon for Rosalie’s Boutique in Baton Rouge on May 16, 2026. Rosalie’s Boutique, St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge’s first upscale resale thrift store, opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 16. Community supporters and local leaders attended the ribbon-cutting to celebrate Rosalie’s Boutique and its role in supporting St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge’s mission. “As a councilwoman

2026 Celebration of Service St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge welcomed community leaders, partners, and supporters for an inspiring evening dedicated to honoring service, strengthening community connections, and advancing the organization’s mission during its inaugural Celebration of Service at the Tracy Center Ballroom, April 9. The event marked the beginning of a new annual tradition designed to recognize individuals whose leadership and compassion have made a meaningful d

Lunch with a Purpose - This Monday! Join us for our Fill A Prescription Lunch benefiting the St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge Community Pharmacy. For just $15, enjoy jambalaya, salad, bread, and dessert—and help ensure our neighbors in need have access to life-saving medications. In front of The Baton Rouge Clinic, AMC , 7373 Perkins Road 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. WBRZ Channel 2 will be broadcasting live from Noon–1:00 p.m. Pre-order today: 225-383-7837

St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge is introducing the Guest Advocate, a new staff role that enhances shelter care and supports people experiencing homelessness with dignity. The design of this role is more than a new title for existing and new staff members; staff will now be trained and encouraged to better meet residents’ complex needs by focusing on advocacy and relationships, ensuring that every voice is heard and every need is supported.

Pictured left to right: Christ Hebert, Louisiana Companies; Ryan Allen, Louisiana Companies; Jennifer Broussard, Louisiana Companies; Dr. Toni Jackson, SVDP Director of Development; Sunnie Johnson-Lain, SVDP President and CEO; Bill Porche, Olinde-Porche Insurance LLC; Michael Olinde, Olinde-Porche Insurance LLC; Blair Bogan, Louisiana Companies; and Tori Laborde Wells, LWCC Agency Relations St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge (SVDPBR) is proud to be recognized as a finalist in

Friends of St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge gathered on Jan. 12, 2026, to celebrate the life and legacy of service of Rosario “Rosie” Martina during the Breakfast for Rosie fundraising event. Baton Rouge – Friends, family, and community members gathered today for the Breakfast for Rosie, a special fundraising event hosted by St. Vincent de Paul of Baton Rouge to honor the life and legacy of Rosario “Rosie” Martina, a founding member of the organization. Rosario Martina, wi