ATLANTA-The St. Vincent de Paul Society has received a $10,000 grant from the Emergency Assistance Fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta to support its Direct Aid Program.

Announcement of the grant, recently approved by the foundation's board of directors, was made by Alicia Philipp, president.

Sheila Bissonnette, executive director of SVDP, said the funds would be used to provide temporary assistance to help people during times of severe hardships or crisis.

"The funds will be used to provide a variety of emergency needs including assistance with rent, mortgage, utilities, food, prescription drugs and transportation."

The St. Vincent de Paul Society has served the Atlanta area since 1903. Today it includes an Education and Training Program, Temporary Housing Program, Children's Clothing Distribution Program, nine thrift stores, a furniture store and its Direct Aid Program.

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta manages more than $300 million in charitable funds and was established in 1951 by people who wanted to give something back to their community. Distributions from these funds support hundreds of cultural, educational and humanitarian programs and initiatives in the greater Atlanta region. Caring people continue to create funds to increase the philanthropic resources available to meet critical community needs.