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. SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, FRANCISCAN KITCHENS IS OPEN 4 DAYS PER WEEK AND OFFERS HOT, HOME COOKED, NUTRITIOUS MEALS PREPARED BY A PROFESSIONAL CHEF 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 CHARITIES OFFERS SUPPORT TO CHILDREN THROUGH ITS CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES BABY FORMULA, DIAPERS BABY WIPES, AND INFANT CARE PRODUCTS AS WELL AS FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS TO SUPPORT WOMEN AND TEENAGERS. FRANCISCAN CHARITIES ALSO SUPPORTS STUDENTS THROUGH ITS BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRIVE BY PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH NEW BACKPACKS, UNIFORMS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES.

THE HEALING MINISTRY OF DIVINE MERCY WAS FOUNDED BY BROTHER PAUL MILLER, OFS. ESTABLISHED IN 2000, BROTHER 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. SINCE 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 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 MANY INDIVIDUALS OBTAIN THE PROPER LEGAL IDENTIFICATION NEEDED FOR THEM TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE OR TO RECEIVE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SUCH AS HOUSING OR CHILD SUPPORT, AND ASSISTANCE WITH LEGAL CRIMINAL ISSUES. 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. IN ADDITION, FRANCISCAN CHARITIES MAKES REFERRALS FOR ADDICTION AND COUNSELING AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE.