About Us

About

Faith Foundation

Feeding San Antonio’s Homeless Community since 1974, St. Vincent de Paul has addressed the plight of the homeless who live on the streets and the working poor. Originally located at the SAMM Shelter, we moved our operation to the Courtyard at the Haven for Hope campus.

In 2010, St Vinnys Bistro® was created specifically to provide three hot, nutritional meals each day, 365 days a year in the Courtyard at Haven for Hope, serving an average of 1,100 to 1,400 meals per day. In addition, sack lunches are provided for those who work in the community and medicinal meals are provided for those who need to take their medication with food.

In 2020, St Vinnys Bistro was established as a separate 501(c)3 with the purpose that is consistent with the Rule and Mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul as well as with the Mission of the Member of any upper council with which it is affiliated. Download our 501(c)3 certificate here.

We rely heavily on volunteers to help us meet our goals and ensure that all those we serve are treated with dignity and compassion. We partner with dedicated organizations and individuals who donate their time, food or treasure.

FAITH KITCHEN

Our Mission

Our mission is to Feed San Antonio’s Homeless, No Questions Asked! We serve anyone that walks through our doors. Faith Kitchen is NOT a soup kitchen. We provide three hot, nutritional meals each day, 365 days a year.

FAITH KITCHEN

Founders

In 1974, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul began addressing the plight of the homeless who live on the streets and the working poor of San Antonio. In 1985, SVDP opened a kitchen located at the SAMM Shelter on West Commerce Street. In 2010, the kitchen was renamed and moved to the Courtyard at the Haven for Hope campus.

Today St Vinnys Bistro® provides three hot, nutritional meals each day, 365 days a year in the Courtyard at Haven for Hope, serving an average of 1,100 to 1,400 meals per day.

Today, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of San Antonio involves over 2,000 dedicated Vincentian members and other committed SVDP volunteers who serve children, families, and individuals in need. Through their 59 conferences that are located throughout 19 counties in South Texas, Vincentians identify the need and provide a wide variety of services for basic needs such as food, clothing, rent, furniture, prescription medicine and utility assistance. Person-to-person assistance is at the core of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Vincentians also visit the homes of those they assist. Through the home visit, Vincentians determine how to best help the individual or family in crisis. The home visit is a trademark of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

We owe a great deal of gratitude to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Southwest Texas for many years of servant leadership. We continue to follow their mission “to promote and perform works of charity through personal service.” Please visit their website: https://www.svdpsa.org/

FAITH KITCHEN

Food Service Job Training

Our staff identifies, trains, and mentors homeless clients to work in our kitchen. Clients are trained in food prep, sanitary methods, inventory management, kitchen maintenance, team work, workplace skills, and more. Clients are mentored to enter the job sector with marketable skills and self-sufficiency.

FAITH KITCHEN

Kitchen Staff

Faith Kitchen is an inclusive organization. We do not discriminate, in admission to our kitchen on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, age or disability. We are also an equal opportunity employer. No Haven for Hope employee or prospective employee will be denied employment or a promotion because of his or her race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, age or national origin.