Neighborhood Outreach

Franciscan Charities has established itself as a steady, nurturing presence in the Central and West Wards of Newark.  Week in and week out, our organization has been there with hot meals and simple acts of kindness, striving to bring a smile to the faces of the people we serve.

Our annual Toy Drive delivers hundreds of presents to the children in the neighborhood during the holidays, including a visit from Santa.

Our Back-to-School Drive provides children with backpacks filled with school supplies. This year our drive also included backpacks – with masks and hand sanitizer – for students from the Camden Street and Harriett Tubman elementary schools, both located within two blocks of our kitchen.

And our annual Coat Drive has become a necessity in the neighborhood. Almost 1,000 coats were distributed last year. This year we’ll distribute coats in conjunction with the West Side Recreation Center, ensuring that those who need a warm coat will have one.