Fulfilling the Promise

Editor's Note: In August, Elijah's Promise served over 8,500 meals at its soup kitchen and in September, over 8,800 meals were served, according to volunteer coordinator Tony Nunno. The amont of meals served was incorrect in a previous version of this story.

Red Keith of New Brunswick, has been coming to the Elijah's Promise Soup Kitchen for about five years now.

Keith, a volunteer, started off by coming to pick up meals for his sick mother. His involvement with the organization has since expanded to include more volunteer work.

Reclining in a chair before the start of evening meal service, Keith said the soup kitchen played an important role in New Brunswick. Health professionals come by to administer free screenings to clients. Leftover food is converted into compost and reused. And a large amount of the clientele who visit do not have anywhere else to go.

"50 percent of the men here might be homeless," he said.

Elijah's Promise is the only soup kitchen in Middlesex County serving meals twice daily to the local homeless and impoverished, but it is so much more than that.

The organization also runs a culinary school and a small community restaurant, both with major emphasis on local, organic and sustainable ingredients. Elijah's Promise hosts healthy eating and eco-friendly workshops around New Brunswick and Highland Park.

Tony Nunno, volunteer coordinator for Elijah's Promise, said donations are in need -  food, monetary and people to help serve meals and clean up afterward.

Elijah's Promise is able to "shop" through the Food Bank of New Jersey, which makes the money go further. Every 33 cents can be stretched into a dollar, he said.

Nunno said Elijah's Promise makes sure to serve healthy food, including plenty of fruits and vegetables. No processed foods, junky snacks or sugary treats.

The menu is connected to the idea that in order to take physical action to improve something, you have to have the proper nutrients in your body to do it, Nunno said.

Nunno spoke with New Brunswick Patch during a dinner in late September where volunteers dished out tuna casserole, salad and a piece of fruit for dessert.

Nunno said the organization has seen an uptick in clients since Hurricane Irene blew through our area in August, and the flow of people has not slowed since. In August, more than 8,500 meals were served, and in September 8,800 meals were served, Nunno said.

As the fall begins, executive direction Lisanne Finston said the pantry is emptying, and the organization is in need of donations, especially so before the holiday season.

Elijah's Promise and New Brunswick Patch will be hosting a food drive from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 27 in the parking lot of TD Bank on Bayard St.

Elijah's Promise will bring of their trucks to the site and people from the community are asked to bring one of the following items for donation to fill it:

• Rice
• Beans
• Pasta
• Tuna
• Canned vegetables and fruit

Monetary donations are also welcome. Change jars will be on site for the Elijah's promise's the Change Campaign, with the goal of raising $5,000 in change to put toward meals at the soup kitchen. All proceeds will benefit the soup kitchen.

For more information on the drive, email Jennifer.Bradshaw@Patch.com or info@elijahspromise.org.

For more information on Elijah's Promise, visit www.elijahspromise.org.