HELP US OPEN UP- C3 CAFE
Join us in making a difference!
Serving Newark with dignity, mercy, and hope.
Join us in making a difference!
HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS
Events
7/1/2025-7/31/2025
The Face of God Drive
9AM
-
1PM
In the Narthex of the Cathedral
Event Details
7/1/2025-7/31/2025
The Face of God Drive
Help us bring hope, dignity, and a fresh start to individuals returning home from incarceration. This July, we’re collecting Backpack Care P...
9AM
-
1PM
In the Narthex of the Cathedral
7/20/2025
Bread From Heaven: Food Exchange
9AM
-
2PM
In the Narthex of the Cathedral
Event Details
7/20/2025
Bread From Heaven: Food Exchange
Each month, on the third Sunday*, our food exchange program brings the community together in a unique and powerful way. Families drop off no...
9AM
-
2PM
In the Narthex of the Cathedral
8/17/2025
Bread From Heaven: Food Exchange
9AM
-
2PM
In the Narthex of the Cathedral
Event Details
8/17/2025
Bread From Heaven: Food Exchange
Each month, on the third Sunday*, our food exchange program brings the community together in a unique and powerful way. Families drop off no...
9AM
-
2PM
In the Narthex of the Cathedral
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Mark 12:31
LOVE OF NEIGHBOR PROJECT
The Love of Neighbor Project (LONP) is a faith-driven nonprofit rooted in the Catholic tradition, dedicated to living out the Gospel through service, mercy, and restoration. Inspired by Matthew 25, we are committed to feeding the hungry, welcoming the forgotten, and walking with those rebuilding their lives after incarceration, addiction, or hardship.
Now operating independently, LONP continues to serve the Newark community through our Bread From Heaven food exchange, the upcoming C3 Café—a sober-living café offering employment, mentorship, and community—and our First Annual Clergy Appreciation Banquet Gala, taking place on September 28. We are also proud to launch our First Annual Mercy on the Green Golf Classic, a day of fellowship and fundraising in support of families across Newark. Coming 2026.
We serve with mercy, restore with dignity, and remain rooted in Christ.
OUR STORY
The Love of Neighbor Project was born from the vision of a beloved priest, whose deep faith and compassion inspired a movement to serve Newark’s most vulnerable. Rooted in the Gospel’s call to love one another, he believed that true faith is expressed through action—by meeting people where they are and addressing their needs with dignity and care.
With his leadership, we set out to create a space where love becomes tangible: feeding the hungry, clothing those in need, and supporting individuals as they rebuild their lives. This project is a testament to the belief that when we care for our neighbors, we bring hope and healing to our entire community.
OUR MISSION
At the Love of Neighbor Project, we believe every person deserves the chance to begin again — with dignity, hope, and support. As we step into a new chapter as an independent nonprofit, our mission remains rooted in our Catholic faith and driven by compassion in action.
We serve individuals reentering society after incarceration, those in recovery, and struggling families — people often overlooked, yet deeply deserving of care.
Through trusted partnerships and grassroots outreach, we meet real needs in practical ways:
- Clothing for job interviews
- Bus and train tickets for critical appointments
- Food gift cards to ensure no one is left hungry
These simple acts are more than charity — they are a lifeline and a testament of belief in every person’s capacity to rebuild.
We’re here to walk beside them — not just as service providers, but as neighbors in faith.
OUR VISION
We dream of a Newark where every person is met with dignity, where no one goes hungry, and where barriers to success are broken down with love and support. Inspired by Catholic values but open to all, we aim to foster a culture of generosity and hope. Together, we believe we can create a stronger, more compassionate community.
ONGOING GIVING
Though now operating independently, the Love of Neighbor Project remains deeply committed to serving Newark with compassion and purpose. Our mission continues to be lived out each month through efforts like the Bread From Heaven Food Exchange, held every 3rd Sunday at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart — now as an independent community partner.
This ongoing initiative offers food to those in need while inviting others to give from their abundance. It’s a space of generosity, dignity, and hope.
From monthly food exchanges to holiday gift drives, we make giving simple and impactful — because every act of kindness, no matter how small, can change someone’s life.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
As the Love of Neighbor Project begins a powerful new chapter as an independent nonprofit, we are launching a Capital Campaign to support the growth of transformative, faith-rooted initiatives for Newark’s most underserved communities.
At the center of this vision is the creation of the C3 Café — a sober-living café that will offer dignified employment and community to individuals in recovery and reentry. More than just a café, it will be a sanctuary of restoration and purpose, where second chances are not only given, but celebrated.
Our campaign will also support:
- Workforce development programs for returning citizens
- Reentry assistance such as transportation, job interview clothing, and mentorship
- Annual initiatives including our Clergy Appreciation Banquet Gala — a celebration of the spiritual leaders who uplift and guide our communities
- First Annual Mercy on the Green Golf Classic, a day of fellowship and fundraising in support of families across Newark.
These aren’t just projects — they are acts of mercy in motion, building pathways to stability, healing, and a renewed sense of belonging.
With your partnership, we can build something lasting — not just a place, but a legacy of love in action.
FUTURE ENDEAVORS TO HELP WOMEN
In the spirit of expanding our reach, we are committed to building a women’s sober home. This safe haven will offer women in recovery the chance to heal, rebuild, and thrive. It’s more than a house—it’s a place of transformation, where women can reclaim their lives and build a brighter future.
AMAZING VOLUNTEERS
Our volunteers are the heart and soul of the Love of Neighbor Project. Their time, energy, and compassion fuel everything we do. From organizing drives to serving at events, they embody the very spirit of love and generosity that defines our mission.
To every volunteer: thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ in our community. Your work changes lives, and we are forever grateful.
HELP US-HELP NEWARK
Your support is the heart of everything we do. Whether through donations, volunteering, or simply sharing our story, you are a vital part of this mission.
Together, we carry forward a vision rooted in faith—to bring hope, dignity, and love to every neighbor in Newark.
The Love of Neighbor Project is more than a charity; it is a movement—a living testament to the power of seeing one another as family and treating each person with the respect and compassion they deserve.
As we look ahead, we invite you to join us. Stand with us as we build a brighter, more compassionate Newark—one step, one meal, one job, and one second chance at a time.
Partner With Us
At Love of Neighbor Project, we believe collaboration is key to creating lasting change. Each month, we partner with local organizations to raise awareness, support communities in need, and amplify each other’s missions.
Whether you're a nonprofit, faith-based group, support program, school, or local business — we’d love to work with you. Past partners include YMCA, Mercy House, Returning Citizens Support Group, area nursing homes, and more.
If you're interested in teaming up for a monthly initiative, event, or community outreach, we invite you to fill out our short Partnership Form.
Let’s build something impactful together!
Our Partners
Prayer Request Form
At Love of Neighbor Project, we believe in the power of prayer to bring healing, comfort, and strength. Whether you're facing a personal challenge, praying for a loved one, or simply seeking peace, we are honored to lift your intentions in prayer.
Our team prays regularly over each request with reverence and care. You are not alone — we are here to stand with you in faith.
Please fill out the form below to share your prayer needs. You can remain anonymous if you prefer.
“Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:40
LOVE OF NEIGHBOR PROJECT SHOP
Supporting Love of Neighbor Project Means Supporting Your Community
Every purchase from our shop directly supports the Love of Neighbor Project (LONP) — a faith-rooted nonprofit dedicated to uplifting individuals in recovery, reentry, and need.
Your support fuels the launch of the C3 Café — a welcoming community coffeehouse that will provide employment, mentorship, and hope to those rebuilding their lives after incarceration or addiction.
Proceeds also help sustain our broader mission, including our Annual Clergy Appreciation Banquet Gala, where we honor the spiritual leaders who inspire, guide, and strengthen our communities.
Thank you for choosing more than just coffee — you’re helping build a future of second chances, restored dignity, and lasting compassion in the heart of Newark.
LOVE OF NEIGHBOR PROJECT SHOP
Support Our Mission Through Our Amazon Wish List
Want to make a direct impact? Visit our Amazon Wish List to purchase essential items for individuals and families in need — from hygiene products and food supplies to clothing and care kits.
Each item you send goes directly to those we serve through the Love of Neighbor Project, including people in recovery, returning citizens, and Newark families facing hardship. Your generosity helps us meet urgent needs with dignity and love.
It’s a simple way to give — and every item makes a difference.
Shop with purpose. Love your neighbor.
Capturing Our Mission-A Photo Story of Love of Neighbor Project
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at hello@loveofneighbor.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.
The primary goal of the Love of Neighbor Project is to reduce poverty, restore dignity, and improve the quality of life for individuals and families in need — while creating meaningful opportunities for others to serve with compassion and purpose.
The Love of Neighbor Project was originally inspired and supported within the Cathedral Basilica community, and we remain deeply grateful for that foundation. Today, we are an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, operating separately from the Cathedral, which allows us to expand our outreach and deepen our impact across Newark and beyond.
That said, we are honored to continue one of our cornerstone initiatives — the Bread From Heaven Food Exchange — on the third Sunday of every month at the Cathedral, run entirely by LONP volunteers. It is a beautiful example of ongoing community partnership rooted in faith and service.
Love of Neighbor Project has partnerships with organizations that offers a wide range of programs, including job training, financial assistance, and housing support. Please email us your needs and we can partner you up with an organization that may be able to help.
Love of Neighbor Project is funded through donations from individuals, corporations, and grants from foundations. Please see above to learn more about how you can support our mission.
Donors are encouraged to bring the following non-perishable food items for the food drive:
- Canned Goods: Soups, vegetables, beans, fruits, tuna, and chicken.
- Dry Goods: Pasta, rice, lentils, cereal, and oatmeal.
- Shelf-Stable Proteins: Peanut butter, almond butter, canned or powdered milk.
- Snacks: Granola bars, crackers, trail mix, and dried fruit.
- Pantry Staples: Cooking oil, sugar, flour, spices, and instant coffee or tea.
Please ensure all items are unopened, unexpired, and easy to distribute. Thank you for helping us serve those in need!
Yes! We offer simple, budget-friendly recipe cards designed to make shopping and cooking easy and affordable. Many of the ingredients can be found at local dollar stores or neighborhood markets.
You can print the recipes from our website, or pick them up already stapled to a shopping bag at our events. Simply fill the bag with the listed ingredients and bring it to our Bread From Heaven Food Exchange, held every third Sunday. It’s a meaningful way to give, with guidance every step of the way.
Yes, we are deeply grateful for our ongoing givers! Recurring donations help sustain our programs and mission year-round. You can set up your monthly gift easily right here for C3 Cafe or here for Love of Neighbor Project.
Non-Refundable Policy for Love of Neighbor Project Merchandise
Thank you for supporting the Love of Neighbor Project through your purchase of our merchandise. Every purchase directly supports our mission to serve the community, assist those reentering society, and provide vital resources to individuals in need.
Please carefully review our non-refundable policy below:
- All Sales Are Final
All merchandise purchases are non-refundable and final sale. We do not offer returns, exchanges, or refunds once an item has been purchased. - Defective or Damaged Items
If you receive a defective or damaged item, you must contact us within 7 days of receiving your order. Please email hello@loveofneighbor.org with:
- A clear description of the issue
- Your order number
- Photographs of the damaged or defective item
- If the item qualifies, we will offer a replacement for the same item, depending on availability.
- Order Cancellations
We are unable to cancel or modify orders once they have been placed. Please double-check your order details before completing your purchase. - Shipping Delays
The Love of Neighbor Project is not responsible for delays caused by shipping carriers, weather, or other factors beyond our control. - Support & Questions
For any additional questions regarding your order or this policy, please reach out to us at hello@loveofneighbor.org.
By completing your purchase, you acknowledge and agree to the terms of this non-refundable policy.
DOWNLOADS
Simple, budget-friendly recipe cards designed to make shopping and cooking easy and affordable. Many of the ingredients can be found at local dollar stores or neighborhood markets.
CREDIT: @Dollartreedinners for sharing these with us. Follow them on TikTok
Need Assistance?
If you or someone you know is in need of clothing, food, furnishings, or other essential items, please complete the online order form here or the printable one below. Once filled out, email it to us at Hello@loveofneighbor.org.
We understand that everyone’s situation is unique, and we will do our very best to assist you with the resources we have.
You are not alone — we’re here to help.
LONP ORDER FORM (PNG)
Download
Hope Starts Here
💛Support with Purpose 💛
Every purchase helps us open C3 Café and fund the Love of Neighbor Project, serving individuals in recovery and reentry.
Shop now our coffee— make a difference.
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