Welcome to Good Samaritan Minstries

Food Pantry

Soup Kitchen

Housing

About Good
Samaritan Ministries

Good Samaritan Ministries was established in 1985 by the Carbondale Interfaith Council to support individuals and families experiencing hardship. Our mission is to provide shelter, food, counseling, and advocacy to those who are homeless, near-homeless, or in crisis while helping people move toward stability and independence.

Making a Difference
Since 1985

Good Samaritan is funded by donations and government funding only. Every dollar donated goes to help those around us who need it most. Help us make Southern Illinois a better place to live.
#SIcares

40+ Years

Supporting Carbondale Community

30,000+ Meals Served

To Those In Need

7,000+ Shelter

Nights Provided

2,500+ Families

Supported Through Food Programs

What We Do

Emergency Assistance

Emergency Assistance

The Emergency Assistance program helps area residents pay their rent or utility bills in order to prevent them from becoming homeless. This is a one-time assistance. The recipient must demonstrate the ability to maintain a normal payment schedule in the future. Our Emergency Assistance Coordinator is Francis Murphy. He can be reached at 618-457-5794.

Emergency Shelter

Volunteer Opportunities in the Emergency Shelter include answering phones 9-5, transporting and assisting clients, and minor maintenance and repairs. The shelter is in operation 24/7, at 701 S Marion. The Emergency Shelter has the capacity to house 30 persons. Our Shelter Coordinator is Francis Murphy. He can be reached at (618) 457-5794.

SI Food Pantry

Food Pantry

Volunteers at the Food Pantry stock shelves and fill and are open Monday and Friday from 9:00 am to 11:30 am for inside distribution at the University Baptist Church, 700 S Oakland. Please wear a mask if dropping off. The Food Pantry provides canned goods and perishables to people in need. Area churches and civic organizations provide food and augment federal commodities. We also need volunteers for pick ups. Our Food Pantry Coordinator is Aaron Barnett. He can be reached at (618) 457-0323.

The food pantry supported my family during one of our toughest times.

You Can Make a Difference

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Support emergency shelter, meals, and vital community services.
Help serve meals, organize donations, or support local programs.
Join local organizations and businesses making a community impact.

Guided by Compassion, Driven by Purpose

Latest Articles & Updates

Follow us through an educational journey of how you can make a difference in someone’s life day to day with the How You Can Help posts.

How can I help? – Day 9

We are back again for a little more of How you can help. Today’s tip shouldn’t be a surprise. Since we are creeping into the warmer temps and summer season, we here at Good Samaritan are going to need local support in order to continue to serve our neighbors. We have recently upgraded our donation tools to make it easier than ever to give whatever you can. Fee free to give it a test run and show once again that #SIcares.

Tip 9 – Give monthly to trusted organizations: Smaller, consistent financial donations help nonprofits like ours plan long-term services, such as case management, job training, facility improvements, and overall upgrades more effectively than one-time gifts.

How can I help? – Day 8

Let’s be consistent! Today’s How Can I Help tip revolves around doing good things repeatedly, both for your own well being and that of the people you are supporting.

Tip 8 – Consistency Changes Lives One-time kindness matters. Consistent kindness transforms. 💙 If you’re able, choose one small action to do regularly—preferably one of the pervious tips we had reviewed such as monthly hygiene donations, a weekly volunteer shift, creating care packages, or sponsoring bus passes. Steady support creates stability, and stability helps people take the next step toward housing, work, and wellness. 

How can I help? – Day 7

Let’s do some good! Today we step away from the usual tips to dive into volunteerism and it couldn’t be better timed. On top of the huge need for financial support, organizations like ours also need time and caring from good people. If you would like to help in any area, feel free to reach out to support@goodsamcarbondale.com and someone will get back to you.

Tip 7 Volunteer your skills: Shelters often need more than just general labor; they may benefit from professional skills such as IT support, accounting, teaching, construction, or even hair-cutting.

How can I help - Day 6 - Let's get political!

How can I help? – Day 6

Let’s get Political!

Tip 6: Advocate for systemic change: Support policies for affordable housing and mental health services. Organizations like the National Coalition for the Homeless offer alerts on how to contact local leaders about these issues. 

Let us know if you have your own ideas and keep showing that #SIcares.
How can I help - Day 5

How can I help? – Day 5

This is a fun activity to do with family or just because you are feeling the love.

Tip 5: Create and distribute “Blessing Bags”. Carry care packages in your car or bags filled with essentials like socks (highly requested), travel-sized toiletries (soap, toothpaste, deodorant), and non-perishable snacks like granola bars or bottled water.

These go hand in hand with the resources info or sheets we mentioned earlier. Let us know if you have your own ideas and keep showing that #SIcares.

How can I help - Day 4

How can I help? – Day 4

Tip 4: Respect boundaries and autonomy: Always ask before giving or doing anything (e.g., “Would you like a sandwich?”). If they decline, respect their choice without judgment and maintain physical space to ensure both parties feel safe.