St. Joseph Social Service Center, Elizabeth, NJ
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News
Volunteer Appreciation Week 2025

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What a beautiful week it's been here at St. Joseph’s—and it’s all thanks to YOU, our incredible volunteers. 

Every day, your compassion, time, and energy touched hundreds of lives in meaningful ways:

Monday – You empowered our neighbors through adult computer classes, helping them learn skills that open doors and build confidence.

Tuesday – You showed up strong to distribute food to hundreds of families, bringing nourishment, smiles, and dignity to each person who came through our doors.

Throughout the week  – You welcomed hundreds more through our client-choice food and clothing programs, offering not just essentials, but respect, comfort, and care. You taught English to dozens in our community, with classes, one on one conversations, and even individualized speech therapy.

Through our Daily Bread program, you provided hundreds of meals with love—proof that small acts of kindness add up to something extraordinary.

Friday – You made space for healing and joy with a music therapy workshop, and ended the week with another powerful food distribution, serving our community with grace and heart.

Saturday – You gave up your afternoon and your hearts at the Soup Kitchen, serving hot meals to our neighbors with tenderness, compassion, and a welcoming smile.

Behind the Scenes - You make sandwiches, organize fundraisers, collect donations, serve on the board or committees, wrap gifts, tricky tray baskets (and Easter baskets!) and countless other efforts and activities to benefit our sisters and brothers.

To every volunteer—whether you serve once a week, every day, behind the scenes, or on-site —we see you. We celebrate you. And we are endlessly grateful for the love you bring to this work. 

You are the soul of St. Joseph’s.
We couldn’t do what we do without you.

Thank you to all who attended and supported our Annual Fundraising Raffle and Dinner!
​We are so grateful for all of your support.


​Please click on the video below to view the slide show presented at the event.
Special thanks to Carlos Flores and Linda Flores-Tober for letting us honor and celebrate their many years of service to St. Joseph’s and the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless.
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We also thank Hany Lopez for so generously sharing her story!
Take a look at our slideshow of pictures from the evening!    Looking for more pictures?  Click here. 
If you would still like to donate, we would be grateful for your support! 
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Please click on the link below to make a donation.
Make a Donation
Congratulations to our Raffle Prize Winners!
 
           Grand Prize: Ticket 1252 - Kathy K.
      Consolation Prizes:    
        Ticket 271, Ed B.        
        Ticket 1115, Susan D.
     Ticket 1579, Mary P.
      Ticket 1676, Peter F.

Thank you to all who donated to the event and to the Raffle.
 

Please save the date for next year:
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October 16, 2025

Elizabeth PBA Local #4

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​We thank the Elizabeth PBA Local #4 for choosing our community to benefit from the Leprechaun Run. 


The officers went shopping for our food pantry and helped us stock up on the most popular items. They will be helping us throughout the year.

​Thank you for your commitment to our neighbors!

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Teens for Teens Gala

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"Teens for Teens" Organizers
We are immensely grateful to all who participated in the 11th annual Teens for Teens Gala.

This amazing group, led by Co-Presidents Katie Ferris, Nina Heim, and Claire Lezysnki, raised $25,000 to benefit the community served by St. Joseph’s. The gala featured musical performances by incredibly talented teens, as well as a silent auction and raffle. The students planned and organized a wonderful event that raised awareness about hunger and poverty.

Comments from the Co-Presidents:
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“At this year's Teens for Teens gala, our team supported the St. Joseph Social Service Center. It was amazing to see our group of teens work together and be so passionate about giving back to our community. These past three years have been an invaluable experience that have helped me strengthen my leadership and communication skills further.”

– Katie Ferris

"Working with St. Joseph's and Teens for Teens has given me the unique opportunity to connect with special people who share a passion for supporting our community."

– Claire Lezysnki

"Each year we put a lot of thought into choosing a charity that we are excited to support. It’s never an easy decision but with St Joseph’s it became clear early on that we made the right choice. Working with St Joseph’s was nothing short of an amazing experience. Everyone we talked to was so evidently passionate about their work. Having the chance to volunteer as a team in person gave us the opportunity to see the work they do first hand and each of us walked away inspired and excited. We are so happy to have supported St Joseph’s and know that the money raised will be used to do so much good work."

​– Nina Heim
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St. Joseph's Team in Attendance

New Food Bank and Clothing Building Open House

​The St. Joseph’s community, encompassing residents from Elizabeth and volunteers and supporters from five counties in New Jersey, came together on February 24 to celebrate the opening of two new buildings on its campus.

​The new food pantry building is already in use, and the second building will ultimately be used for clothing distribution. The cold weather was no match for the warm spirit of compassion and caring that animated the event and has guided the agency for the past 38 years. All in attendance toured the new buildings and participated in a moving dedication ceremony that concluded with an uplifting blessing offered by Father Anthony Randazzo of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Westfield
Learn More and View Open House Pictures

Computer Literacy Workshop Begins

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On Tuesday, Feb. 6,  our Adult Learning Center launched our first Computer Literacy classes.

​We are so excited to begin this program for our community! Thank you to our volunteer instructors for your time and attention to our new students.

Annual Fundraising Dinner and Grand Raffle

October 19, 2023
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Thank you to everyone who supported our annual fundraiser!   
We had a wonderful evening and are very grateful to everyone who made it possible. 

Special thanks to our incredible Raffle Committee for making this the most successful event in our history.

Many thanks to all who participated in the raffles. The prize winners were:


Travel Prize: Michael M. (ticket #163)

Grand Raffle: 1st prize: John M. (ticket #1308)

Consolation prizes:
Heidi O. (ticket #799 and #900)
Karen W. (ticket #1235)
Mary K. (ticket #1314)

Please save the date for next year:  October 17, 2024
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Our Sponsors - Thank You for Your Support

Daily Services
Paul Babineau
Jim Brady - Brad-Pak Enterprises
LBA Realty Charitable Foundation
Teresa Lastella
Mushett Family Foundation Inc.

Mental Health
Mary Anne Costanza
Infineum USA
Teresa Lastella
PSE&G
Ron & Samira Shalhoub

Adult Learning
Kenneth & Winifred Johanson
Committee to Elect Joseph Cryan and Annette Quijano

Food Program
Stephanie Deshefy
Warren Evans
Lia Hempel
Ted & Maria Hobbie
Raymond & Maria Kostvack
John Maddox
Michael Marchesi
Ellen Ramer
Hector & Mary Sepulveda
Ann Marie Swartz
Corey Wu-Jung

Prescription Assistance
Meghan Calichman
Sheila Casey
Janemarie Cooperman
Linda Dobson
Ilda Donofrio
Tom Duffy
Jane Egan
Fyzical Therapy & Balance Ctr
Deirdre Gelinne
Lia Hempel
Mary Johnson
Terence Keenan
Teresa Lastella
Kevin Mahoney
Jackie Makowicz
Jane McGurty
Rosemary McIntyre
Dennis & Maureen McNulty
Robin & William Nicol
Sharon Prime
Rose Rinehart
Rick & Kathy Schultz
Gail Seely
Mickey & Arline Signorella

Bag of Food
Leon Alirangues
Karen Ancharski
Joyce Antone
William & Barbara Apgar
Walter Barisonek
Lina Belkewitch
Alice Brucia
Johanna Desiderio
Anthony & Pasqualina Difabio
Linda Dobson
Susan Dooley
Robert Felle
Joe Figueroa
Karen Fountain
Mary Anne Glassen
Mary Johnson
Christine Kavanaugh
James Kearns
Marianne Kerr
Frank & Camille Korn
Marylou M. Spohr
Jackie Makowicz
Marie Markovich
Jane McGurty
Robin & William Nicol
John O'Brien
Barbara Overs
William Powers
Keith Santulli
Rick & Kathy Schultz
Vincent M Sheridan
Gerri Stiner
Michael Suske
Anne Wagner

On April 4, 2023, we held the Groundbreaking for our "Building Dignity for All" project. 
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Take a look at at the progress we are making! 

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                   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.
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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:
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...is a great way to communicate what we do!

Here’s how it looks when we pull it all together!
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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!

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Annual Fundraising Dinner and Grand Raffle

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:
  • Maureen M. of Boonton Township, NJ (ticket #1388)
3 consolidation prizes of $1,774 to:
  • 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

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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

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We are so grateful to all who purchased raffle tickets, virtual dinner tickets, sponsorships, and made donations. 
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

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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 [email protected] or 908-354-5456 x3.


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A Special Mother's Day...
Thank you to all who donated pocketbooks and toiletries to make Mother's Day special for our clients. Special thanks to Gail Seely, the Rosary Altar Society of Our Lady of Peace, New Providence Dentistry, and Aesthetic Dentistry of Bernardsville for filling over 300 bags!

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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 »
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An Honor for St. Joseph's - a visit with Cardinal Tobin
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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! 

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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
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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)
St. Joseph Social Service Center 
Email: [email protected]
118 Division St., Elizabeth, NJ 07201  ~ Tel: 
908.354.5456   ~   FAX: 908.354.1433