Franciscan Charity Serving the Poor in Newark, USA..

Franciscan Charities, Inc., Newark, New Jersey, USA 


Their efforts began in 2005, in response to a call for help. A handful of people were gathered in the basement of St. Ann's, a nearly abandoned church in Newark's West Ward. They were poor and they were hungry. Could they help? 

A few volunteers went with homemade soup and sincere intentions.  What they found was a need so great they could not turn away.

That first day they served 12 clients. They had little access to running water, no kitchen to speak of, fickle electricity and many doubts. Gang members stood opposite their entrance, watching their comings and goings.

The police told them they were crazy. But they stayed, and soon 12 became 20, and 20 became 200. In time, a kitchen was built, a church was re-opened, the gangs moved on, the police shook their heads, and a small piece of community was reclaimed.

Today, just five years late, St. Ann's Soup Kitchen has become the hub for Franciscan Charities, Inc. and its ministries. Last year they provided over 75,000 meals, and distributed 18,000 bags of groceries to the poor of Newark.  


They provided 500 winter coats and hundreds of hats, gloves and scarves to those in need.  Their Annual Toy Drive guaranteed that every child had a gift at Christmas. With the help of their ministries, some of their clients have completed job training and found employment. Others have received medical attention, HIV testing and addiction counseling.


They launched their Children's Literacy Program during 2010 and established the Jeremiah Fund, a capital raising effort which will be used to open a home for special needs children that are wards of the State of New Jersey.

Much has been accomplished, it is true, but much remains to be done. 

The above story from website:  http://www.franciscancharitiesinc.org/