The St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP), Atlanta, will be holding its annual Evening for Hope fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

The evening will begin as guests of all faiths are invited to join Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory for Mass at 5 p.m. Afterward, the cocktail reception with cash bar is at 6:15 p.m. with dinner and program at 7 p.m.

Tickets are still available. Attire is formal, black tie optional.

Overall, SVdP Atlanta provided nearly $17 million in financial, material and educational support to people in need in 2010, an increase of more than 20 percent from 2009. The Society helped nearly 185,000 people last year, an increase of more than 5,000 people from 2009.

Through reducing costs and increasing fundraising efforts, SVdP was able to serve more people, providing more than $8.7 million in financial assistance to people in need in Georgia. This support helped people stay in their homes, keep the electric, the gas and the water turned on, or paid other bills; thereby giving people help and offering them hope.

SVdP’s volunteers, numbering more than 4,000, work in 70 conferences in 55 counties throughout north and middle Georgia, providing financial assistance, goods and services through 38 food pantries, 10 thrift stores and four family support centers. These volunteers gave more than 320,000 hours of service.

St Vincent de Paul has designated September as “Voice of the Poor” month, with the goal of raising awareness for their clients,