October 06, 2025

HOME – late September, early October, 2025, post-script.

If you were a church member who welcomed our recent guests, you were among the lucky! We hosted two remarkable moms and their four children, all boys – one mom had an almost three-year-old; the other had a nine-year-old (who celebrated his birthday with us), a four-year-old and a four-month-old (who spent his first twelve weeks of life in the NICU of Newark Beth Israel having been born in the twenty something week of gestation at little more than 2 lbs in weight). I spent so much time holding him that Lou was stuck cleaning up from dinner!

Food wasn’t easy – two are vegans and one has a nut allergy. We brought tacos which apparently was the dinner du jour - served to them three times that week! A good reminder for us dinner preparers to check what others are serving! That said, there were no complaints.

Kids had a great time playing with toys, drawing pictures, climbing on furniture, and generally bounding about. Yes, one fell off one of the high stools!

The moms really engaged. We chatted about the roles of the dads in the lives of the kids – pretty limited, sadly. They learned about my years as a single mom of a son and plied me with questions. We talked about them – their achievements, dreams and ambitions. Both are going to make good lives for themselves and their children. We talked about HOME and the phenomenal difference it was making in their lives – expenses eliminated, support provided, confidence gained.

When we left, after the overnighters arrived, we got hugs. One thanked me for asking the questions we asked. I thought about that for a while after we left. I realized asking her questions about herself likely made her feel noticed, validated, more than just a homeless woman with a kid. Maybe she realized she was someone who really could create a life she could be proud of. 

Not always are the folks who spend time with us through HOME as willing or able to share their stories, their hopes, their dreams with their BBPC hosts. We are total strangers. Though their lives may remain private, the importance of the help and quiet support they receive though HOME, and though us as volunteers, should not be underestimated. This time we got lucky! Always, we volunteers are essential and valued!

Lou Ruprecht and Judy Wahrenberger, Thursday shift 5-8, supper providers.

Update: We need egg cartons! Please share any you have.

The donated food supply from local supermarkets varies weekly while the number of families attending is increasing. 

A major monthly expense of the food pantry is purchasing plastic bags for packaging personal care items such as shampoo, laundry detergent, toothpaste & toilet paper. If anyone knows of, or has a connection with a company producing or distributing these items, please contact D'Maris. We are hoping for ongoing donations or reduced pricing on these items.

Questions? Please call the church office at (732) 356-3575 

or reach out to: D’Maris Dempsey or Diane Gilson.

SHOPRITE GIFT CARD PROGRAM

WE NEED YOUR HELP! 

 The ShopRite card fund is dangerously low

and in need of donations.

Please consider supporting this program by donating ShopRite gift cards or making a monetary donation earmarked for ShopRite gift cards (please specify this in the memo line).

Your donations will enable us to purchase the cards at a 5% discount. If you'd like to donate electronically, you can select the "Love Local" option on EZ Tithe.

Thank you for your support!

How Your ShopRite Donations Helped a North Plainfield Family

A working mother with two children was affected by recent flooding in North Plainfield. Their home sustained damage and they lost their vehicle due to water damage. With limited financial assistance offered for the damages, the SR cards provided via BBPC allow them to supplement their food budget and while they struggle with repairs.