Soup Kitchen & Emergency Services

Soup kitchenYear-round government-sponsored program that provides a hot, nutritious lunch, Monday - Friday 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, to all who come.  Our aim is to be a consistent source for basic food and to provide the meals in a safe, clean environment.  This program is partially funded through government grants.  Through a yearly soup kitchen survey we are kept informed as to the effect we are having on their lives.  On August 30, 2005 the following results were submitted based on 144 responses:

55% claimed the soup kitchen lunch was their main meal of the day.  
41% said they would probably get sick or need medical treatment if the soup line were not available.       
79% indicated that they would be hurt, angry or desperate if the program were cancelled.
46% said by having lunch at the Neighborhood Center they were able to look for housing, a job or be in job training.

Bagged Food - year-round emergency food services program which provides packaged food during times of crisis to individuals who are referred to us through the Welfare Department.  Our aim is to provide enough food for three days for each member of the family on a bi-monthly basis.  Bags of food are also provided during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.  We include gospel tracts (in both Spanish and English) in bags of food we distribute.  Our Emergency Food Services Program has created a stabilizing influence (fewer acts of violence resulting from the need of food) in this community when their need is met on a consistent basis.
    
Holiday Dinners - program which provides at least two holiday celebration dinners during the year for Center families and members of the community.  Our aim is to strengthen the family unit and to use the holidays as an opportunity to share the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ through a delicious meal and a program with an evangelical emphasis.  Prior to serving a holiday meal, a Bible-based program that promotes evangelism through fellowship is presented by the After School and Junior Teen Programs to their families and friends from the community.
 
Local churches are a major means of support for the Soup Kitchen and Emergency Bagged Food Programs.  Throughout the year, Sunday School Classes and Confirmation Classes come to the Center and help serve in the soup line.  Other volunteers from nearby churches pack food and help distribute it during our holiday food outreach program in November.  Most of this food is donated by churches.

Partners

    • Soup Kitchen
    • General Board of Global Ministries
    • Individuals
    • Fundraising
    • Memberships
    • Government contracts with FEMA
    • Social Service to the Homeless (SSH)
    • Camden County Human Services
    • United Way Donor Choice
    • FEED Consortium of Camden County
    • Camden County Homeless Network Planning Committee
    • Genuardi's & BJ Wholesale Club food donations
    • Bagged Food Meals
    • General Board of Global Ministries
    • Individuals
    • United Way Donor Choice
    • FEED Consortium of Camden County
    • Camden County Homeless Network Planning Committee