St. John the Baptist Parish
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Local offices in St. John the Baptist Parish
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Community action · County office
St. John Parish Department of Community Services
128 Central Avenue, Reserve, LA 70084
Help here
- Basic needs and crisis assistanceGet help with financial assistance, case management, education, and local resources.
- Energy assistanceAsk about help paying energy bills through the department’s assistance programs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sjbparish.gov
Public health · State office
St. John Parish Health Unit
473 Central Avenue, Reserve, LA 70084
Help here
- WICApply for nutrition and food benefits for eligible women, infants, and children.
- Public health servicesGet immunizations, family planning, pregnancy testing, and sexually transmitted disease testing.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sjbparish.gov
Mental health and recovery · Regional office
River Parishes Behavioral Health Center
1809 West Airline Highway, LaPlace, LA 70068
Help here
- Behavioral health servicesContact the center to arrange behavioral health services and assessment.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sclhsa.org
Courts and legal help · State office
40th Judicial District Public Defender Office
75 Dominican Road, Suite 202, LaPlace, LA 70068
Help here
- Apply for a public defenderApply for a court-appointed lawyer if you need a lawyer for a criminal case.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on stjohnpdo.org
Older adults · Regional office
Capital Area Agency on Aging
2051 Silverside Drive, Suite 208, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Help here
- Aging and disability supportsGet information about meals, transportation, caregiver support, legal help, and other services for older adults.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on capitalaaa.org
Veterans · County office
St. John Parish Veterans Services
4080 West Airline Highway, Reserve, LA 70084
Help here
- Veterans assistanceGet information and help with services for veterans.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sjbparish.gov
Emergency help · County office
St. John Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
Help here
- Emergency preparedness informationFind local emergency plans and information to prepare for and respond to disasters.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sjbparish.gov
State office
Driver's License Bureau
4034 West Airline Highway, Reserve, LA 70084
Help here
- Driver licensing and vehicle registrationVisit for driver's license and vehicle registration transactions.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sjbparish.gov
Library · Regional office
St. John the Baptist Parish Library
2920 Highway 51, LaPlace, LA 70068
Help here
- Library servicesUse library collections, learning resources, programs, and services across the parish library system.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on stjohnlib.com
St. John the Baptist Parish Government website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of St. John the Baptist Parish first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Free meals
Grace & Greens: Community Meal
Okra Abbey
25 miles from the center of St. John the Baptist Parish1800 Monroe Street, New Orleans, LA 70118
Hours
- Wed12 PM to 1 PM
Who can come: All neighbors
Listed on okraabbey.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church
26 miles from the center of St. John the Baptist Parish7100 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118
Hours
Hours not listed. Call first.
Second and Fourth Saturdays of every month. Lunch served at 12:00 PM.
Who can come: Anyone
What to bring: No ID, paperwork, or religious requirement.
Listed on stcharlesave.church, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Ozanam Inn
27 miles from the center of St. John the Baptist Parish2239 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70119
Hours
- Mon9 AM to 9:30 AM. Snacks; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
- Tue9 AM to 9:30 AM. Snacks; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
- Wed9 AM to 9:30 AM. Snacks; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
- Thu9 AM to 9:30 AM. Snacks; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
- Fri9 AM to 9:30 AM. Snacks; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
Who can come: Anyone
Listed on nola.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Lantern Light Feeding Programs
Lantern Light
28 miles from the center of St. John the Baptist Parish1803 Gravier St., New Orleans, LA 70112
Hours
- Mon9 AM to 9:30 AM. Morning snack; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
- Tue9 AM to 9:30 AM. Morning snack; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
- Wed9 AM to 9:30 AM. Morning snack; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
- Thu9 AM to 9:30 AM. Morning snack; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
- Fri9 AM to 9:30 AM. Morning snack; 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Lunch
Who can come: People who are homeless or have low income
Listed on lanternlight.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Lantern Light Feeding Programs
Lantern Light
28 miles from the center of St. John the Baptist Parish1803 Gravier St., New Orleans, LA 70112
Hours
- Fri9:30 AM to 10:30 AM (1st and 3rd of the month)
Who can come: Orleans Parish residents
What to bring: First time registrants must bring ID, proof of income, and a lease or other proof of address.
Listed on lanternlight.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Crescent City Cafe
28 miles from the center of St. John the Baptist Parish3900 Saint Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115
Hours
- Sat8 AM to 9:30 AM (1st and 3rd of the month)
Who can come: Anyone in need
Listed on crescentcitycafe.com, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve St. John the Baptist Parish
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana
700 Edwards Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70123
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Corporation
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
St. John Department of Community Services
PO Box 2108, Reserve, LA 70084-2108
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Job help near St. John the Baptist Parish
American Job Centers are free. They help you look for work, write a resume, find training and apply for unemployment benefits. You can ask for an interpreter.
American Job Center · Affiliate center
St. John American Job Center
Also helps young people
1708 Chantilly Drive, Suite A, Laplace, LA 70068
Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed , Fri8:8:30 am.-4:00pm. Thurs-8:30am-12:00pm
Updated by CareerOneStop on July 17, 2026
Unemployment benefits in Louisiana
If you lost your job or your hours were cut, you may be able to get unemployment insurance. You apply with the state, and the state decides who qualifies.
Workforce board for this area
The workforce board plans the job and training programs here and funds the job centers. Go to a job center for help; call the board with questions about its programs.
Workforce board
St. Charles Parishes Consortium
737 Paul Maillard Road, Suite 1A, PO Box 1010 (Hahnville, LA 70057), Luling, LA 70070
Job center and program listings from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Checked on October 10, 2026.
Louisiana programs by kind of help
These are run by Louisiana and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
- SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - HealthCare.gov
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The federal marketplace for health insurance plans. Many people can get lower monthly costs based on their income.
Call 1-800-318-2596 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- Louisiana 211, served by VIA LINK
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988