The St. Augustine Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul owns and operates a thrift store at 513 Eleanor Street in downtown Kalamazoo. The store is operated by volunteers (Vincentians) and is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until to 2 p.m.  The store sells donated clothing and household items.  Revenue generated from store sales and monetary donations received are used to give immediate aid for neighbors in crisis.  Vincentians meet with Friends-In-Need, by appointment, to discuss their situation and individual needs.  Financial assistance is provided to those facing evictions, those raising funds to get re-housed after being homeless, those facing utility shut-offs, and those needing financial assistance with funeral expenses.  We also assist Friends-In-Need with free clothing and household items.  

​

Our Conference serves all people regardless of ethnic or social background, health, gender or political affiliation in the tradition of our founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam and our patron saint, St. Vincent de Paul.​

More than 85% of the store’s revenue goes directly to financial assistance for Friends-In-Need.  We have increased the number of people we help with financial assistance and with free clothing/household items by 35% from 2024 to 2025, due to the generosity of donors.  During the last fiscal year, we have given out over 21,000 clothing/household items and over $140,000 in direct financial assistance in the 2024/2025 fiscal year. 

​

Donations of clothing and household items are accepted at the store on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.