The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County provides direct assistance to anyone in need in Alameda county. Our emphasis is on volunteer-driven, one-to-one assistance, in collective fellowship and spiritual growth. SVdP operates the Dining Room and Community Center in downtown Oakland. The Dining Room feeds up to 800 meals per day, five days a week. The Community Center offers: job-training programs (the Kitchen of Champions culinary training program and the Champion Workforce transitional employment program); drop-in centers for men, women and children; free clothing; medical clinics; Homeless & Caring Court; and referrals. Our thrift stores offer gently-used goods along with many new items that manufacturers have donated. St. Vincent de Paul stores have clothing, furninture and best-selling books all at bargain prices. In addition, our network of 800 volunteers (the "Vincentians") throughout Alameda County provide direct assistance to those in need in their communities.