Miracle Ground Charity has been distributing food and household items to the needy since 2006. They feed the needy approximately 1000 to 1200 each and every month. They distribute from their home at Miracle Ground Charity, 677 South 11th Street in Newark.
On June 16, 2012 they started distributing in Irvington for the first time. They received the support of Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith, and now they will distribute on the third Saturday of every month at the Civic Square in Irvington.
The program was announced between the hours of ten in the morning and noon. However, the needy stood in the line as early as six in the morning.
“Miracles Ground strives to end hunger in its community by providing wholesome food to those in need and by promoting solutions to the underlying causes of hunger through collaboration, solicitation, education and advocacy. Miracles Ground alleviates hunger and homelessness, provides emergency shelter, support for re-entry to society for prisoners, counseling services for drug addicts and HIV/AIDS individuals,” said President Sandra Oluyemi.
Nicholas Oluyemi, vice president of the Miracles Ground Charity said, “MGC does not just have sympathy and empathy for the poor, but shows compassion which recognizes needs and responds with actions.”
I asked the question to some of the needy persons as to why there is homelessness in our community.
Kevin Thomas, an Irvington Resident said, “I am a long time Local Talk reader. The Bridges (a non-profit organization) from South Jersey does a lot. Every other Sunday they distribute food in Irvington. Also, St. John’s is doing an excellent job distributing every Tuesday and Saturday. Mostly the homeless and people who are in trouble come for food and clothing.”
Annie Williams said, “This is my first time. I have custody of my grandchildren. I got laid off. I got no food. I am a cook.”
Kia Santos said, “It’s good that they are doing this. I am a Newark Resident and this is my second time receiving food. They hire foreigners before Americans, that’s why there is homelessness. There are so many abandoned buildings that the city can fix up and give work to us homeless people or unemployed.”
Shirley Gillespie said, “Homeless people have no place to go, unless they have a job like my brother. He was homeless and he got a job.”
Charles Padgett, an Irvington Resident said, “I have no idea about homelessness. I live in the Senior Citizens Building. The politics are OK, but the politicians do lie a lot.”
MGC is looking for a large warehouse to store food and household items to speed up the process of distributing.
After I saw the way the volunteers work and their compassion for the needy, I can say that they are doing an excellent job. They are working with numerous partners to help the needy.
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