Feed All God’s Children Gives Hope to Freehold's Needy

Freehold Township resident Jim Benedict is on a mission.

A person need only walk into St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at lunchtime Mondays through Thursdays and witness the efficiency of the Feed All God’s Children soup kitchen Benedict cofounded with Stanley Rosenthal, of Holmdel. Not a movement is wasted as Joe Harvey, of Freehold Township points clients to their seats, soup runners bring hot cups to patrons who request it, and volunteers on the food line dispense balanced meals, all under Benedict’s watchful eye. Food and supplies aren’t wasted, either. Bruce Holiday, of Brick, cooks just enough food for the 150 to 200 patrons. And Benedict is sure to remind soup runners not to grab an extra spoon for a second helping--and with good reason. The soup kitchen goes through paper products and plastic utensils by the box-full.

For nine years, Feed All God’s Children soup kitchen has provided hot meals and support to Freehold’s needy. Before he helped establish the nonprofit organization, Benedict had moved from Freehold to South Carolina, where he ran a soup kitchen. Family circumstances brought Benedict and his wife back to New Jersey.  Benedict quickly returned to volunteering, helping at Freehold Area Open Door Food Pantry, and noticed a need in the community for a soup kitchen. He approached several area churches about establishing such a venture before St. Peter’s agreed to give his kitchen a six-month trial.

“It took six to eight months to get it going. They saw I took care of the place and we’ve had a one-year contract with them every year since,” Benedict said.

Feed All God’s Children serves 40,000 meals each year and the need is growing while donations have dropped off, according to Benedict. The organization is getting ready to head into its busiest time of year. Early spring brings many new clients to the soup kitchen, as day labors come up from the south looking for work and are in need before they find steady employment. Benedict depends on a team of 52 dedicated volunteers to keep the soup kitchen running.

“I have great volunteers. I couldn’t get better volunteers if I paid them,” Benedict said.

The volunteers have a great deal of respect for Benedict and the organization he helped build from the ground up.

“Jim is the bones of the operation,” said Brooke Sherman, a Freehold Borough resident and a regular volunteer for Feed All God’s Children.

The volunteers share a camaraderie that lends to the work they do and keeps the daily lunches running smoothly.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Lea Rufo, of Jackson. “I come twice a week. I like giving back to the community. I go where I’m needed and I see the need here.”

For Benedict, the day doesn’t end when the soup kitchen closes. He brings meals to individuals who do not leave their homes and call him for assistance. On weekends, he visits Lakewood’s Tent City and distributes food to the homeless there.

“God spoke to me and told me to feed His people,” Benedict said. “I love doing it. I live for it. I thank God that He has blessed me enough that I can do this.”

To make a monetary contribution to Feed All God’s Children, visit the organization’s Web site. The group is also in need of paper towels, toilet paper and plastic forks and spoons, which can be dropped off at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 39 Throckmorton Street from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays.