First Church Ministries have exceeded expectations. Together we are inspiring others, offering fellowship and friendship, and making a difference within our greater community.
Paula Brown Soup Kitchen
Serving FREE meals the third and fourth Tuesday of every month
This year the PBSK served 1135 free meals to our guests; which some weeks included 10 meals delivered to the homeless and 5 meals to workers. Our volunteers welcomed everyone partaking in our nutritious meals. On any given soup kitchen Tuesday you will find our volunteers shopping, picking up donations, preparing food, setting tables, serving food, washing dishes and cleaning up. Pastor Kim opens lunch with a prayer (and also washes dishes) with music compliments of Mimi.
Our grateful thanks go to Karen Van, our Soup Kitchen Co-Ordinator and her second in charge Kathy N. These ladies, as well as our hard working volunteers, make this one of the most impactful ministries at First Church.
We are grateful for the generosity of our parishioners who donated Shop Rite gift cards enabling us to purchase food, as well as donations from Manhattan Bagel and Stop and Shop. We are blessed for the Citta Foundation, The Wintrode Family Foundation and an anonymous donor who believed in our ministry. With their financial support we were able to purchase additional food and supplies for the PBSK this year.
Thank you to all of our volunteers making a difference!
Cub Scout Pack 52
Kids in Action
Our Cub Scout Pack participated in the annual Scouting For Food drive. Donations that were collected were brought to the food pantry at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Seaside Heights. The pantry shelves were nearly empty when we arrived, and the staff said we donated enough food to serve their very large walk in population for 4-5 months. One parish helping another. Thanks to the Scout Masters and volunteers who helped make this event such a success. Cubbies Rock!
Sisters in Christ
Service Projects Making a Difference
Our ladies (and gentlemen helpers) had a successful fundraising year. The monies raised from the Spring Rummage Sale and the Holly Berry Bazaar funded many of the following:
- 111 Easter Baskets donated to the Hope Center.
- Raised $1,407.00 for baby bottles donated to Open Door
- Donated 329 mittens, hats, scarves, pj’s and coats for people of all ages to the Hope Center.
- Collected food to be donated to local charities.
- 44 Christmas boxes for children at the Hope Center.
- Collected socks that were donated to our District.
