“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.” – Proverbs 19:17

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  2026. 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. 

 And more coming 2026.

We serve with mercy, restore with dignity, and remain rooted in Christ.

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

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.

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.

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.

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. We also want to open a thrift store and food pantry where they can work and start fresh. 

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.