Caught in the holiday whirl, it can be easy to forget the least privileged among us. But Franciscan Charities, dubbed “small but mighty” by the Obama Foundation, remembers.
For the past 20 years, the group of mostly volunteers has been providing hot meals to the residents of Newark’s Central and West wards four days a week. That’s over 1.5 million meals since the organization started, and about 100,000 each year—even during the pandemic, when they were the only soup kitchen in Newark to remain open.
But Franciscan Charities’ concern for the families they serve extends well beyond mealtimes. On Thursdays, they set up a farmers market with fresh produce outside their South Eighth Street building. (The area is high on the state’s list of food deserts, with a dearth of stores selling healthy foods.) On Tuesdays, they give out diapers (more than 80,000 a year), car seats and other baby basics; in August, it’s backpacks filled with school supplies. This fall, 600 were given out to students who lined up for blocks.
They’ve even provided construction boots to help immigrants looking for work at the nearby Home Depot, and set up barbers to give free haircuts.
“The need is growing,” says Greg Langan, a Little Falls attorney and president of the charity’s board. “Newark has some of the highest food insecurity in the state; some that we feed don’t even have homes. We’re here to help relieve their suffering, to be a place where people can feel like someone cares.”
Despite the demands of their work, the charity’s volunteers go into overdrive as the weather gets colder, collecting and purchasing hundreds of coats, hats and gloves in every size from toddler to plus. On coat-drive day, they help each person in need pick out a coat, hat and gloves. More than 600 coats have been given out so far this year, and they continue to be collected and distributed through the winter.
A toy drive also kicks into gear in the weeks leading up to Christmas. “For many of our children, it’s the only chance to receive a gift and feel the magic of Christmas,” Langan says. Money is raised to purchase new toys and, a few days before the holiday, the kids meet Santa at the nonprofit’s headquarters. A costumed elf then escorts them to pick out a gift from tables labeled toddler, dolls, Nerf guns, electronics, teenage, makeup—there’s even a battery table.
The charity helps in nonmaterial ways, too. A social worker advocates for locals who need housing, connecting them to shelters and other resources, including recovery services. Following a recent influx of South American immigrants, the charity has started teaching English as a second language and helping residents obtain I.D. cards so their children can register for school and other services, and they can apply for jobs. Many are trying, but can’t find work, Langan says.
The charity runs on a shoestring, with one salaried chef, five part-timers and a small army of volunteers. Funds are sorely needed for a new commercial kitchen, to pay off building loans, and to buy food and supplies. Last November, a proclamation from Newark commemorated the nonprofit’s 20 years of “incredible” work, drawing some attention and funds.
Much more is needed. You can donate through franciscancharitiesinc.org and know your money goes directly support the poor: The nonprofit evaluator Charity Navigator has given Franciscan Charities its top score and a 4-star rating, based on its financial accountability and impact. Donations of supplies are also gratefully accepted.
“We’re all in this together,” says Langan.
[RELATED: New Jersey Food Banks and Nonprofits That Help Residents Facing Hunger]
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