On April 4, 2023, we held the Groundbreaking for our "Building Dignity for All" project.
Take a look at more pictures from the afternoon!
Take a look at more pictures from the afternoon!
St. Joseph Social Service Center Has a New Logo and Tagline!
Why did St. Joseph's decide to update its logo?
Our community has many needs – for food, medicine, counseling, language and computer skills, clothing and more. As St. Joseph Social Service Center has grown to become much more than a food pantry, we needed a logo that reflects the growth in the services we provide. While we have not changed anything about the core of who we are, it was time to bring a refreshed approach to our logo to better communicate what we do.
What inspired the new logo?
The new logo is grounded in the three key elements of what we do:
(1) we provide food
(2) we offer a hand up to those who are interested
(3) we serve our clients with dignity, love and compassion
For those of you who are familiar with our older logo, you will see that we have updated our cornucopia to better reflect our emphasis on healthy foods. We have added green hands to represent growth and the “hands up” that we offer. The heart reflects the compassion with which we serve our community.
Why did St. Joseph's decide to update its logo?
Our community has many needs – for food, medicine, counseling, language and computer skills, clothing and more. As St. Joseph Social Service Center has grown to become much more than a food pantry, we needed a logo that reflects the growth in the services we provide. While we have not changed anything about the core of who we are, it was time to bring a refreshed approach to our logo to better communicate what we do.
What inspired the new logo?
The new logo is grounded in the three key elements of what we do:
(1) we provide food
(2) we offer a hand up to those who are interested
(3) we serve our clients with dignity, love and compassion
For those of you who are familiar with our older logo, you will see that we have updated our cornucopia to better reflect our emphasis on healthy foods. We have added green hands to represent growth and the “hands up” that we offer. The heart reflects the compassion with which we serve our community.
Why the new tagline?
We believe a key point of difference of St. Joseph Social Service Center is that we bring different communities together: the city of Elizabeth, faith based and volunteer communities throughout Union County and beyond, and local businesses. Through these interconnected communities, we offer a place for all to flourish through sharing their gifts with one another. We believe that:
We believe a key point of difference of St. Joseph Social Service Center is that we bring different communities together: the city of Elizabeth, faith based and volunteer communities throughout Union County and beyond, and local businesses. Through these interconnected communities, we offer a place for all to flourish through sharing their gifts with one another. We believe that:
...is a great way to communicate what we do!
Here’s how it looks when we pull it all together!
Here’s how it looks when we pull it all together!
Who was involved in the rebrand process?
Our Executive Director and several Board Members solicited help from a non-profit volunteer group called Catchafire. We were fortunate to have a graphic designer ask to work with us, as he was familiar with St. Joseph’s because his father volunteered here. Again, we benefit from our connections! We also solicited input and feedback from board members, staff, and members of our community to ensure this new brand accurately reflects the heart of our center.
Are you changing who you are?
Nothing has changed about our mission. We are still here to serve our community with food, hope and love. We celebrate the fabric of our community and are committed to serving each other.
I’m not sure how I feel about it…
We get it. Change can be hard and anything new feels unfamiliar at first. Just know that over time this new look will become as familiar and loved as our previous one was. We're hopeful that many more will join us in partnering in this work to strengthen the important mission that we're doing together!
As we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph with a table abundantly filled with food to share with our neighbors and the less fortunate, we thank you for helping us to Connect Communities and Nourish Each Other!
Our Executive Director and several Board Members solicited help from a non-profit volunteer group called Catchafire. We were fortunate to have a graphic designer ask to work with us, as he was familiar with St. Joseph’s because his father volunteered here. Again, we benefit from our connections! We also solicited input and feedback from board members, staff, and members of our community to ensure this new brand accurately reflects the heart of our center.
Are you changing who you are?
Nothing has changed about our mission. We are still here to serve our community with food, hope and love. We celebrate the fabric of our community and are committed to serving each other.
I’m not sure how I feel about it…
We get it. Change can be hard and anything new feels unfamiliar at first. Just know that over time this new look will become as familiar and loved as our previous one was. We're hopeful that many more will join us in partnering in this work to strengthen the important mission that we're doing together!
As we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph with a table abundantly filled with food to share with our neighbors and the less fortunate, we thank you for helping us to Connect Communities and Nourish Each Other!
Annual Fundraising Dinner and Grand Raffle
October 20, 2022
October 20, 2022
Thank you so much to everyone who supported our Annual Fundraiser! The event was filled to capacity and the attendees were filled with joy as we celebrated and honored the work of our center, the Giving Tree Core Team and Marilyn Ryan. We are overwhelmed by your generosity and so grateful for your participation. We thank Marilyn Ryan and the Giving Tree Core Team for allowing us to celebrate their amazing commitment to our sisters and brothers.
The winners of the Grand Raffle have been notified. The winning tickets were:
First prize of $12,418 to:
We hope you can join us for our 2023 Fundraising Dinner - October 19, 2023!
Bernadette Murphy, Executive Director
The winners of the Grand Raffle have been notified. The winning tickets were:
First prize of $12,418 to:
- Maureen M. of Boonton Township, NJ (ticket #1388)
- Mary P. of Colonia, NJ (ticket #319)
- Richard K. of West Orange, NJ (ticket #537)
- Diane J. of Cranford, NJ (ticket #1272)
We hope you can join us for our 2023 Fundraising Dinner - October 19, 2023!
Bernadette Murphy, Executive Director
Our Sponsors
Daily Services
Paul Babineau
Mary Beth Hampson
John Rossi
Mental Health
Patricia Black
Infineum USA LP
PSE&G
Ron & Samira Shalhoub
Adult Learning
Hector & Mary Sepulveda
Food Program
Rafael Betancourt
Patricia Blake
Nancy Booth
Anne Clewell
Lia Hempel
Linda Labau
John Maddox
Germaine & Richard Trabert
Corey Wu-Jung
Prescription Assistance
Peggy Barbella
Benedictine Sisters of Elizabeth
Sid & Liz Blanchard
Nancy Booth
Meghan Calichman
David Carrubba
Kathryn Casey
Clive A. Correia - Kadima Sun Investments
Suzanne Dizier
Ilda Donofrio
Elizabeth FMBA - Local 9
Terence Keenan
Knights of Columbus - Cranford Council #6226
Anna Laudati
Jackie Makowicz
Teresa Moore
Jane Murphy
Rob & Katie Oflynn
Joseph Ohara
Jerry Oriscello
Elizabeth Piercey
Colleen Sabatino
Rick & Kathy Schultz
Shelia
Tara Tepp
John & Barbara Warring
Bag of Food
Leon Alirangues
Karen Ancharski
Lynne Blaesser
Nancy Booth
Rose Brinker
Meghan Calichman
Barbara Chemidlin
Dr. Chiedozie Chukwuneke
Joanne Cogswell
Joanne Conrad
Linda DaSilva
Mary Anne DelNegro
Theresa Dyer
Kathleen French
Patti Gebert
Marion Grogan
James Kearns
Knights of Columbus - Cranford Council #6226
Jackie Makowicz
Maureen McGurty-Rakiey
Mary Mule
Bernadette Murphy
John O'Brien
Rob & Katie Oflynn
Margaret Pipchick
Robin Pritzlaff
Elaine Reddy
Monsignor Timothy Shugrue
Thomas Sopko
Frank & Janice Vecchione
Anne Wagner
Ellen Windorf
Daily Services
Paul Babineau
Mary Beth Hampson
John Rossi
Mental Health
Patricia Black
Infineum USA LP
PSE&G
Ron & Samira Shalhoub
Adult Learning
Hector & Mary Sepulveda
Food Program
Rafael Betancourt
Patricia Blake
Nancy Booth
Anne Clewell
Lia Hempel
Linda Labau
John Maddox
Germaine & Richard Trabert
Corey Wu-Jung
Prescription Assistance
Peggy Barbella
Benedictine Sisters of Elizabeth
Sid & Liz Blanchard
Nancy Booth
Meghan Calichman
David Carrubba
Kathryn Casey
Clive A. Correia - Kadima Sun Investments
Suzanne Dizier
Ilda Donofrio
Elizabeth FMBA - Local 9
Terence Keenan
Knights of Columbus - Cranford Council #6226
Anna Laudati
Jackie Makowicz
Teresa Moore
Jane Murphy
Rob & Katie Oflynn
Joseph Ohara
Jerry Oriscello
Elizabeth Piercey
Colleen Sabatino
Rick & Kathy Schultz
Shelia
Tara Tepp
John & Barbara Warring
Bag of Food
Leon Alirangues
Karen Ancharski
Lynne Blaesser
Nancy Booth
Rose Brinker
Meghan Calichman
Barbara Chemidlin
Dr. Chiedozie Chukwuneke
Joanne Cogswell
Joanne Conrad
Linda DaSilva
Mary Anne DelNegro
Theresa Dyer
Kathleen French
Patti Gebert
Marion Grogan
James Kearns
Knights of Columbus - Cranford Council #6226
Jackie Makowicz
Maureen McGurty-Rakiey
Mary Mule
Bernadette Murphy
John O'Brien
Rob & Katie Oflynn
Margaret Pipchick
Robin Pritzlaff
Elaine Reddy
Monsignor Timothy Shugrue
Thomas Sopko
Frank & Janice Vecchione
Anne Wagner
Ellen Windorf
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Thank you to everyone who purchased sponsorships, dinner tickets, raffle tickets and who made donations. We are very grateful for your generosity. |
Daily Services Sponsors
Paul & Anne Babineau
Brad Pak Enterprises
Mary Beth Hampson
Mental Health Sponsors
Linda Lease-Labau
John Samsel Jr.
Laura Vieira Schwab
Ronald & Samira Shalhoub
Adult Learner Sponsor
Kevin & Nancy Mahoney
Food Program Sponsors
Edward Ciuba
M. Hanley
John Maddox
Isabel Ribeiro-Atwan
Christine Cassidy
Corey Wu-Jung and Tim Jung
Prescription Assistance Sponsors
Shelia Casey
Clive A. Correia, Partner - Kadima Sun Investments
Ruby Cribben
Ann Eldridge
Robert Latchman
Joseph Lawrence
Randy & Randye Masel
Rosemary McIntyre
Jane Murphy
Robert O'Flynn
Jerry Oriscello
Darin & Suzanne Pinto
Isabel Ribeiro-Atwan
Elena Wu
Bag of Food Sponsors
Cindy & John Alexy
Mary Jane Bergen
Mia Certic
Edward & Denise Davidoski
Ilda D'Onofrio
Robert Kaplan
John Kokulak
Anna Laudati
John Mallon
Jane McGurty
Eleanor Mugavin
Diane Niceforo
Maria Nierstedt
Robert O'Flynn
Patrick O'Grady
Robert & Barbara Overs
Anne Michele Puglisi
Mary Ellen Purkis
Elaine Reddy
Grace & Howard Saunders
Dennis Trotter
Virgie & Jeffrey Watford
Paul & Anne Babineau
Brad Pak Enterprises
Mary Beth Hampson
Mental Health Sponsors
Linda Lease-Labau
John Samsel Jr.
Laura Vieira Schwab
Ronald & Samira Shalhoub
Adult Learner Sponsor
Kevin & Nancy Mahoney
Food Program Sponsors
Edward Ciuba
M. Hanley
John Maddox
Isabel Ribeiro-Atwan
Christine Cassidy
Corey Wu-Jung and Tim Jung
Prescription Assistance Sponsors
Shelia Casey
Clive A. Correia, Partner - Kadima Sun Investments
Ruby Cribben
Ann Eldridge
Robert Latchman
Joseph Lawrence
Randy & Randye Masel
Rosemary McIntyre
Jane Murphy
Robert O'Flynn
Jerry Oriscello
Darin & Suzanne Pinto
Isabel Ribeiro-Atwan
Elena Wu
Bag of Food Sponsors
Cindy & John Alexy
Mary Jane Bergen
Mia Certic
Edward & Denise Davidoski
Ilda D'Onofrio
Robert Kaplan
John Kokulak
Anna Laudati
John Mallon
Jane McGurty
Eleanor Mugavin
Diane Niceforo
Maria Nierstedt
Robert O'Flynn
Patrick O'Grady
Robert & Barbara Overs
Anne Michele Puglisi
Mary Ellen Purkis
Elaine Reddy
Grace & Howard Saunders
Dennis Trotter
Virgie & Jeffrey Watford
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We are so grateful to all who purchased raffle tickets, virtual dinner tickets, sponsorships, and made donations.
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Daily Services Sponsors
Brad-Pak Enterprises Mary Beth Hampson Mary Meister Mental Health Sponsor Ron & Samira Shalhoub Food Program Sponsors Timothy & Julie Donohue Margaret Dukes Deborah Durand Dennis & Jane Egan Tama & Paul Hampton Ted & Maria Hobbie Ken & Wynn Johanson Kevin & Nancy Mahoney Mary Molloy Mary Phillips Isabel Ribiero-Atwan Richard & Germaine Trabert Corey and Timothy Wu-Jung Samsel & Associates Real Estate Services Prescription Assistance Sponsors Anderson & Company PC Camacho Apothecary Kathleen Cole Jeanne Colucci Clive A. Correia, Partner - Kadima Sun Investments Linda DaSilva Mary Davey Jeanne DeSmedt Linda & Bill Dobson Bill & Irene Donohue Mary Egenton Bob & Katie Fettweis James Glassen Ken & Wynn Johanson Mary & James Keegan Linda Labau Rosemary McIntyre Helen Mosley Eleanor Mugavin Jane Murphy Robin & Bill Nicol Robert O’Flynn Barbara Overs Carol & Charles Perrett Dennis & Mary Reilly Colleen Sabatino Anthony & Elizabeth Santora Patricia Sinnott Dorothy Suske Anita Trembulak Nicholas & Barbara Ugenti Patricia Verdon Anne Wagner Mary Elizabeth Windsor Vivian Zeik Lund Bag of Food Sponsors Robyn Adams Karen Ancharski Anderson & Company, PC Joyce Antone David & Kathy Arminio Richard Bachefski Jo Ann Bali Marion Bavolar Leslie & Jeffrey Breen Inez Stefanko Brinola Alice and George Brucia Linda Casqueira Church of the Assumption Religious Education Alan & Susan Coen Kathleen Cole Jeanne Colucci Ilda D’Onofrio Linda DaSilva Rosemary DeWitt Linda & Bill Dobson Mary Egenton Alice & Tom Fontana Helen Garze Martha & Jerry Harrigan Rosemarie Hudson Robert Kaplan Mary & James Keegan John Kokulak Eileen Kornberger Maria Lombardi Marie Mahony Marie Markovich Thomas Moore Catherine & Frank Murray Diane Niceforo Robin & Bill Nicol John & Phyllis O’Brien Robert O’Flynn Pete & Susan Pizza Ed & Cathay Queenan Elaine & Mike Reddy Dennis & Mary Reilly Susan Rifkin Kathleen Schultz Susan Sheeley & Joseph Capela Phyllis Triarsi Janine Vanacore Patricke Verdon Nancy Wall Ellen & Kevin Windorf Vivian Zeik-Lund Claire Zuransky |
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Please support and thank
our sponsors and donors...
Daily Services Sponsor
Arnold's Pest Control, Cranford
Mental Health Sponsors
Infinieum, LLP, Linden
Lisa Matthews
Project Ready Sponsors
Church of the Assumption, Roselle Park
Holy Trinity R.C. Church, Westfield
Infineum, LLP, Linden
Valley National Bank, Union
Food Program Sponsors
Jim & Theresa Ancharski
John Boyle
Gordon & Lillian Bramwell
Debbie Durand
Alice Dillon
Prescription Assistance Sponsors
Linda DaSilva
Camacho Pharmacy
Patricia Sinnott
Rev. Ken Herbster
Richard & Arlene Vezza
Gordon & Lillian Bramwell
Clive A. Correia
Elizabeth Piercey
Justin & Kim Fahey
Restaurant Donors
A la Mode Creamery, Cranford
Charlie Brown's Fresh Grill, Scotch Plains
Charrito's Restaurant, Weehawken/ Hoboken
Cheesecake Factory
Dairy Queen, Cranford
Echo Tap and Grill, Mountainside
Ferraro's, Westfield
GrillStone, Scotch Plains
Kilkenny House Restaurant & Pub, Cranford
Limani Seafood Grill, Westfield
LongHorn Steak House, Springfield
Lorenzo's Family Place, Garwood
Pairings Palate & Plate, Cranford
Panera
Perrotti's Quality Meats, Cranford
Renato's Pizza Masters, Jersey City
Romola's Seafood and Grille, Cranford
Rudy's, Garwood
Spanish Tavern, Mountainside
Stage House Tavern, Mountainside
Sweet n Fancy, Cranford
The Station Bar and Grill, Garwood
Thirsty Turtle, Cranford
Triestina Ristorante, Cranford
Urban Griddle,Elizabeth
Ursino Steakhouse & Tavern, Union
Vinhus, Roselle Park
Tricky Tray Donors
Red Bulls
Somerset Patriots
Diamond Gymnastics
Altitude
Cancun Cards
Garwood Crunch
Steven Hans Lindner Photography
Home Depot
Galloping Hill Golf Club
Kessler's Corner
Christoffer's
Fire Me Up
Periwinkles
our sponsors and donors...
Daily Services Sponsor
Arnold's Pest Control, Cranford
Mental Health Sponsors
Infinieum, LLP, Linden
Lisa Matthews
Project Ready Sponsors
Church of the Assumption, Roselle Park
Holy Trinity R.C. Church, Westfield
Infineum, LLP, Linden
Valley National Bank, Union
Food Program Sponsors
Jim & Theresa Ancharski
John Boyle
Gordon & Lillian Bramwell
Debbie Durand
Alice Dillon
Prescription Assistance Sponsors
Linda DaSilva
Camacho Pharmacy
Patricia Sinnott
Rev. Ken Herbster
Richard & Arlene Vezza
Gordon & Lillian Bramwell
Clive A. Correia
Elizabeth Piercey
Justin & Kim Fahey
Restaurant Donors
A la Mode Creamery, Cranford
Charlie Brown's Fresh Grill, Scotch Plains
Charrito's Restaurant, Weehawken/ Hoboken
Cheesecake Factory
Dairy Queen, Cranford
Echo Tap and Grill, Mountainside
Ferraro's, Westfield
GrillStone, Scotch Plains
Kilkenny House Restaurant & Pub, Cranford
Limani Seafood Grill, Westfield
LongHorn Steak House, Springfield
Lorenzo's Family Place, Garwood
Pairings Palate & Plate, Cranford
Panera
Perrotti's Quality Meats, Cranford
Renato's Pizza Masters, Jersey City
Romola's Seafood and Grille, Cranford
Rudy's, Garwood
Spanish Tavern, Mountainside
Stage House Tavern, Mountainside
Sweet n Fancy, Cranford
The Station Bar and Grill, Garwood
Thirsty Turtle, Cranford
Triestina Ristorante, Cranford
Urban Griddle,Elizabeth
Ursino Steakhouse & Tavern, Union
Vinhus, Roselle Park
Tricky Tray Donors
Red Bulls
Somerset Patriots
Diamond Gymnastics
Altitude
Cancun Cards
Garwood Crunch
Steven Hans Lindner Photography
Home Depot
Galloping Hill Golf Club
Kessler's Corner
Christoffer's
Fire Me Up
Periwinkles
Salad Day: "Eat Good, Feel Good"
One of our vital services is the Healthy Lifestyles program. We are always seeking ways to offer healthier food choices. Thanks to the sponsorship of Phillips 66, we recently held our first "Salad Day." A team of volunteers from Phillips 66 joined the St Joseph's team for the morning to make fresh salads to distribute to the community. The base salad included lettuce, tomato, cucumber, celery, carrots, grapes, and red onion. Clients then chose optional chicken, tuna, hard boiled eggs, cheese, nuts and a piece of fruit. Everyone enjoyed the experience and we're looking forward to doing it again soon! If your business or group would like to sponsor an event or a day of service, please contact Bernadette Murphy at bmurphy@sjeliz.org or 908-354-5456 x3. 
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Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council Newsletter
The December issue of the UCICC Newsletter focuses on the efforts of smaller organizations that are making a big difference in our community. Check page 4 for the feature article on St. Joseph's by Bernadette Murphy, Executive Director. Click here to read »
The December issue of the UCICC Newsletter focuses on the efforts of smaller organizations that are making a big difference in our community. Check page 4 for the feature article on St. Joseph's by Bernadette Murphy, Executive Director. Click here to read »
An Honor for St. Joseph's - a visit with Cardinal Tobin
His Eminence, Joseph William Cardinal Tobin spent some time on February 28, 2018
visiting the center and getting know all the great people who make this a wonderful place!
visiting the center and getting know all the great people who make this a wonderful place!
Westfield Schoolchildren Help the Hungry with Lunch Donation Programs
WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield residents are often recognized for their generosity and willingness to lend a hand to those in need. The next generation is being taught to do the same, as all six elementary schools in town coordinate collections of bagged lunches that are provided to homeless people and low-income residents of neighboring towns. Franklin School students can bring an extra lunch to school on “Two-Lunch Tuesdays.” The school typically collects anywhere from 300 to 350 lunches each week, which are donated to St. Joseph Social Service Center in Elizabeth. Tamaques School does the same on their “Two-Lunch Thursdays,” and these lunches transported by parent volunteers for those who rely on the students’ generosity. Washington School coordinates a bagged lunch collection on the third Wednesday of each month, and a parent volunteer transports the more than 100 lunches to St. Joseph Social Service Center in Elizabeth. In addition, twice each year at Washington, fifth graders have the opportunity to join fellow students to make sandwiches before school. More than 600 sandwiches are made at each of those events, and are also provided to St. Joseph. Click to read more... https://www.tapinto.net/towns/westfield/articles/westfield-schoolchildren-help-the-hungry-with-lun Project Ready Program, Students, and Teachers featured on Univision Nueva York
Click for the video: Univision Nueva York -- 3/18/15 |
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Elizabeth firefighters donate holiday meals, give thanks for community charities
Click to read the article: NJ.COM -- 11/28/14 |
Members of the Elizabeth firefighters union make a donation at the St. Joseph Social Service Center. From left are Firefighter James Yelverton; Captain William Feehan; Sister Jacinta Fernandes, OSB; FMBA Local 9 Vice President David Bialas; FMBA Local 9 President Michael Guarino Jr. (Courtesy Elizabeth FMBA Local 9)
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