Franciscan Charities Inc

ASSIST THE POOR IN NEWARK, NJ THROUGH MINISTRIES OF A SOUP KITCHEN, CLOTHING, CENTER FOR HEALING

FRANCISCAN KITCHENS (SOUP KITCHEN): IS THE CENTERPIECE OF OUR OUTREACH WITH A BUSTLING SOUP KITCHEN AT ST. ANN'S CHURCH. EACH YEAR, WE PROVIDE APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MEALS TO THOSE IN NEED WITH THE HELP OF OVER 1,000 DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS. OUR EFFORTS TO FEED THE HUNGRY ARE SUPPORTED BY A STRONG BELIEF THAT EACH PERSON SHOULD HAVE A WARM, WELCOMING PLACE TO EAT AND BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND KINDNESS. DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, FRANCISCAN KITCHENS IS OPEN 4 DAYS PER WEEK AND OFFERS HOT, HOME COOKED, NUTRITIOUS MEALS PREPARED BY A PROFESSIONAL CHEF OUTSIDE ON A TO GO BASIS. FOOD PREPARATION AND SERVICE ARE AIDED BY OUR VOLUNTEERS, MANY OF WHOM HAVE BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR CLIENTS OVER THE YEARS. FRANCISCAN KITCHENS HAS BECOME A HUB FOR FRANCISCAN CHARITIES AND ITS MINISTRIES. PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: IN ADDITION TO MEALS, FRANCISCAN KITCHENS PROVIDES GROCERIES TO FAMILIES IN NEED DURING THE COURSE OF THE MONTH. THE GROCERY BAGS ARE PACKED WITH ADDITIONAL MEALS AND INGREDIENTS TO HELP ASSIST WITH BALANCED MEAL PLANNING. FRANCISCAN KITCHENS ALSO MAINTAINS AN INFANT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, COLLECTING AND DISTRIBUTING BABY FORMULA, DIAPERS AND FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN NEED. FRANCISCAN CHARITIES ALSO PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND INFANTS THROUGH THE LITERACY PROGRAM, OFFERING WEEKLY READING INSTRUCTION AND PLANNED LEARNING ACTIVITIES, A SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM, PROVIDING DAILY HANDS-ON EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT WITH VARYING THEMES SUCH AS SCIENCE, MATH, AND ART. HOWEVER, THE LITERACY PROGRAM AND SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM HAVE BEEN TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. AT THE SAME TIME, FRANCISCAN CHARITIES HAS DISTRIBUTED THOUSANDS OF FACE COVERINGS TO CLIENTS WHO NEEDED THEM FOR PROTECTION DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE HEALING MINISTRY OF DIVINE MERCY INCLUDES WORK IN SUPPORT OF THE NEW JERSEY CENTER OF DIVINE MERCY. THE HEALING MINISTRY OF DIVINE MERCY WAS FOUNDED BY PAUL MILLER, OFS. ESTABLISHED IN 2000 UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF REV. JOSEPHAY KATO KALEMA, PASTOR OF THE PARISH OF TRANSFIGURATION IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, PAUL SEEKS TO MINISTER TO THE SICK, THE POOR, THE HELPLESS, AND THE MARGINALIZED, BY BRINGING THE LORD'S HEALING AND PEACE TO THOSE MOST IN NEED. THE MINISTRY EXTENDS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS THE CARIBBEAN. DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, THE HEALING SERVICES ARE CONDUCTED VIRTUALLY AND HELD THROUGHOUT THE WEEK ON A DAILY AND WEEKLY BASIS IN BOTH GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL SETTINGS. THESE EVENTS INCLUDED THE CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY, THE ROSARY AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PRIVATE PRAYER. THESE ACTIVITIES ATTRACT PARTICIPATION FROM INDIVIDUALS LOCATED IN THE LOCAL TRI-STATE AREA AS WELL AS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY. ANYONE CAN ATTEND THE SERVICES REGARDLESS OF RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION.

CLIENT ASSISTANCE: INCLUDES VARIED SERVICES SUCH AS THE ID PROGRAM WHICH HELPS INDIVIDUALS TO OBTAIN THE PROPER LEGAL IDENTIFICATION NEEDED FOR THE WORKFORCE AND/OR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, HOUSING, CHILD SUPPORT, AND CRIMINAL ISSUES, THE CLOTHING PROGRAM WHICH DISTRIBUTES NEEDED CLOTHING, AND HOUSEWARES, THE COAT DRIVE WHICH SUPPLIES HUNDREDS OF WARM COATS AND WINTER ACCESSORIES ANNUALLY, THE TOY DRIVE WHICH ENSURES HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN HAVE A GIFT DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON, AND REFERRALS FOR ADDICTION COUNSELING.