Community Compassion Organization Interview #1

Church-based Organization: HOPE Ministries

     HOPE Ministries is a compassion ministry of Calvary Temple in Wayne, NJ. I interviewed the leaders of this ministry, Tim and Lorraine Carlucci. They both grew up in Calvary Temple, where they met and eventually married. The couple’s heart for missions and evangelism was apparent at a young age, so they knew that starting a compassion ministry was something that God had been leading them to do. What began with providing needy families with groceries, has evolved over the years into something much greater than they had anticipated.

     HOPE Ministries is now a registered food pantry of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey where they pick up five tons of food per month. Each week they provide food, clothing, and prayer to those in need. They are currently serving 549 families per month, over 1,700 people, not including their weekly Paterson outreaches to the homeless. They provide the homeless with food, clothing, prayer, blankets, but most of all, love.

     HOPE Ministries is all about loving people! This ministry has evolved over the years, now spanning to disaster relief, prayer, and Sunday morning Bible studies. They have become a pillar of hope in the community, providing six other local food banks and churches with the overflow of food and clothing that they receive each month.

     Throughout the year, HOPE Ministries strives to go above and beyond for the cause of Christ. These annual occasions consist of their Thanksgiving turkey giveaways, Christmas present giveaways, back to school backpack giveaways, and their Easter baskets of hope. This year, however, was the start of a new tradition, the “Race for Hope 5K.” This Race was constructed to benefit the food bank in its’ efforts to reach the needy for Thanksgiving. Over $4,000 worth of profits went to HOPE Ministries and was put towards the buying of groceries and turkeys. With this money, they were able to provide Thanksgiving dinners to 210 families in need this year!

     HOPE Ministries would not be as successful as it is without the help of the church and community. Along with their monthly five tons of food from the Community Food Bank, they receive donations of food, clothing, and money from the people of Calvary and local churches on a regular basis. People can also donate their time by volunteering to help each week. The HOPE Ministries team is made up of volunteers who assist with the unloading of the food truck, the sorting of clothes, and the bagging of groceries. There are opportunities to serve during the week, as well as on Sunday afternoons for their weekly distributions. Most volunteers come from Calvary Temple, but members of other churches have also made themselves available. HOPE Ministries’ number one task is to spread hope, so they look for volunteers who are ready to share Christ's love and pray for anyone who needs it!

Race for Hope 5K