Love Of Neighbor Project Hosts Thanksgiving Bag Drive To Support Families In Need

NEWARK — As Thanksgiving approaches, the Love of Neighbor Project (LONP) is mobilizing to ensure local families don’t go hungry this holiday season. 

The Newark-based Catholic service organization will host its annual Thanksgiving Bag Drive this weekend, on Nov. 22 and 23, inviting community members to donate essential food items to support families still recovering from the months without SNAP benefits.

Angel Soltero, President of the Love of Neighbor Project, said the initiative is a reflection of the organization’s faith-driven mission.

“At the Love of Neighbor Project, our mission is simple but deeply rooted in our Catholic faith: to serve Christ by serving His people, especially those who are struggling,” Soltero said. “When we place food into a family’s hands, we are not just giving groceries. We are offering dignity, hope and a reminder that they are not forgotten.”

A Community Still Rebuilding

Even though SNAP benefits have been restored, Soltero notes that many families are still working to regain stability.

“Bills accumulated, pantries emptied and households fell behind. Families are still working to regain stability, so the need in our community remains significant and very real,” she said.

The Thanksgiving Bag Drive helps address that need, providing families with essential items this holiday season. The organization has also shared a flyer listing items community members can drop off this weekend, which will be attached to this story.

Ongoing Support Beyond the Holidays

LONP’s support doesn’t stop at Thanksgiving. The organization hosts a monthly Food Exchange on the third Sunday of every month at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge Street, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A central part of LONP’s mission is helping returning citizens through reentry programs. For over five years, the organization has offered food, clothing, grocery cards, and support, but many expressed a deeper need:

“Thank you for the help, but what we truly need are jobs. We want to contribute to our community in a meaningful way,” Soltero said.

This inspired the creation of C3 Café and Boutique, a workforce initiative that will provide meaningful employment opportunities to returning citizens. Soltero shared that the project is deeply personal, honoring her sister who lost her life to substance abuse after struggling to find stable employment. The organization has launched a $500,000 capital campaign to open the café and employ 20 workers. 

Looking Ahead

LONP will host a similar holiday food bag drive in December, offering another opportunity for community members to help families during the challenging winter months.

“Our Catholic tradition teaches us that every person is made in the image of God, and we are called to respond when one of us is hurting,” Soltero said. “Everything we do, from food drives to employment initiatives, is our humble attempt to answer that call with love in action.”

For more information, to donate, or to volunteer, visit www.LoveofNeighbor.org. Community members can drop off Thanksgiving bag items on November 22 or 23. See attached flyer for specific items requested.