Franciscan Charities, Inc. was founded by Paul C. Miller, SFO in order to provide financial, administrative and organizational support to Secular Franciscan ministries to the poor of Newark, New Jersey. Envisioning an ever-growing need for this type support, Miller sought to establish a formalized charity which would enable donors to make tax deductible contributions for this purpose.

After consultation with the Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, to discusss the establishment of a formal soup kitchen at St. Ann's church in Newark, a weekly feeding program was initiated in the fall of 2005. By December, 2005, over 1200 people were being fed hot meals per month.

At the request of St. Ann's pastor, Fr. Josephat Kalema, Franciscan Charities also reopened the church's food pantry in December 2005. Since that date, over 1500 people per month are being provided groceries to supplement their purchase of food for their families.

During this period of rapid growth, we have been fortunate in the financial support we have received from private donors. In addition, we have also created a strategic partnership with St. Mary's of Stony Hill, located in Watchung, New Jersey (www.stmaryswatchung.org). With the help of pastor Fr. Brian J. Nolan and the support of this wonderful parish, we have been successful in gaining many valuable volunteers.