The Sister Visitor Center is an emergency assistance program that provides the most basic of human needs such as food and financial assistance to Louisville residents living west of 9th Street and north of Broadway. We are a Dare to Care food provider and an Area Community Ministries affiliate.

The Sister Visitor Center began in 1969 in an effort to help meet the needs of those living in the Portland, Shawnee and Russell neighborhoods of West Louisville. The heart of the Sister Visitor Center lies in the command of Christ to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and shelter the homeless.

Most recently, in partnership with Dare to Care, Sister Visitor Center transformed our food pantry into a Pantry of Choice. The new pantry uses a supermarket model and provides an increased level of dignity and empowerment to our clients as they select healthy, nutritious food to feed themselves and their families.

Food Pantry Needs
The SVC Choice Food Pantry is located at 2235 West Market St. Our operating hours are M-F 10 am – 2:30 pm. If you do not live in the neighborhood and prefer to visit a pantry closer to you, please call Dare to Care at 502-966-3821 to find the food pantry that serves your neighborhood.
Food shopping can occur once a month and you do not need an appointment.
If it is your first-time visiting SVC, you will need your ID.
If you are shopping for someone else you will need your Id, their ID and a signed Proxy form giving you permission to pick up their food order.
The proxy forms are available in the Pantry.

Regular Hours:
M-F 10 a.m. -2:30 p.m.
Closed on the First Tuesday of the Month

Summer Hours:
M-Th 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
F – Closed
Emergency Financial Assistance for utilities is aid that enables a client to get a 30 day extension by SVC pledging what LG&E and the Louisville Water Company says is the Amount To Prevent Disconnection. Some bills are too high for us to pledge the entire Amount to Prevent Disconnection and the client responsible for the bill will be asked to make a payment before we can make a pledge. This is also the case for clients who are already disconnected from services.
Emergency Financial Assistance for rent is aid that enables a client to get a 30 day extension by SVC pledging one month’s rent.
To request EFA, please click here.

We are currently accepting food and hygiene donations including:

  • Boxed side dishes – au gratin potatoes, rice-a-roni, pasta salad
  • Rice – any variety
  • Condiments – ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper, bbq sauce, salad dressings
  • Shampoo/Conditioner
  • Deodorant
  • Bath soap
  • Toilet paper/Paper towels
  • Women’s hygiene products
  • Laundry detergent
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Household cleaning products

If you are interested in making a donation please contact Sr. Paris Slapikas at 502-776-0155 x504 or pslapikas@archlou.org.

Wrap-around Case Management services are currently on hold at Sister Visitor Center.  If you need assistance with Section 8, please call our office and ask to speak with a case worker.

Case Management is not an emergency financial assistance appointment.

Case management consists of recurring weekly, bi-weekly or monthly one-on-one support sessions to meet the long-term needs of individuals or families.

What to expect:

  • An assigned case manager who will welcome you and provide an overview of long-term services.
  • A strengths and needs assessment to help you identify one or more personal goals to begin working toward (Examples: housing stability, food stability, employment, medical appointments, copies of vital documents).
  • Resources and referrals to strengthen you and your family (Examples: Goodwill Resource Center, Single Point of Entry, Dare to Care and area food pantries, child enrichment opportunities, health clinics).

Please follow this link to request Case Management with SVC.

The Sister Visitor Center is supported in part through grants from