Our Story
Our 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 we 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 we served 12 clients. We had little access to running water, no kitchen to speak of, fickle electricity and many doubts. Gang members stood opposite our entrance, watching our comings and goings. The police told us we were crazy. But we stayed, and soon 12 became 20, and 20 became 200. In time, a kitchen was built, a church was reopened, 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 we provided over 75,000 meals, and distributed 18,000 bags of groceries to the poor of Newark. We provided 500 winter coats and hundreds of hats, gloves and scarves to those in need. Our Annual Toy Drive guaranteed that every child had a gift at Christmas. With the help of our ministries, some of our clients have completed job training and found employment. Others have received medical attention, HIV testing and addiction counseling. We launched our 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. Please help us continue our critical work.
—————————————————————————————
Franciscan Charities, Inc. was incorporated in August 13, 2004 and received its 501 (c) (3) determination as a Federal income tax exempt charitable organization in February 2005. It is registered as a charity with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General (CH2685200).
