Community rallies to help Vineland Soup Kitchen recover after act of vandalism – The Daily Journal

Deborah M. Marko, Vineland Daily Journal Published 9:15 p.m. ET March 30, 2020

A South Jersey Glass & Door crew replaces the Vineland Soup Kitchen office window, damaged by a rock-hurling vandal, at no cost to the ministry. Vineland Daily Journal

VINELAND An act of violence targeting the Vineland Soup Kitchen is bringing the community together to put it right.

So many people came forward, it turned something negative into a positive, soup kitchen volunteer Tony Centeno told The Daily Journal on Monday.

Over the weekend, someone hurled a rock that shattered the front window of the nonprofits East Landis Avenue office, which also serves as a storage facility.

The ministry, with no extra money to fund the repair, appealed for financial assistance. After volunteers installed plywood over the damage and swept up glass shards, offers of help came in from as far away as California.

Its amazing, the generosity of people that weve experienced, said Darlene Fielder, the soup kitchen director. My cell phone has been blowing up all weekend, people calling out of nowhere, people calling anonymously wanting to donate money to pay for the window.

A few soup kitchen supporters, including Lori Pepper King of Vineland, reached out to South Jersey Glass & Door.

I felt a tugging on my heart this morning from God and felt very strongly that I needed to do something,"she said.I contacted South Jersey Glass this morning.

But the South West Boulevard company was already on it and let King know that they were installing the glass at no charge to the soup kitchen.

It brought me to tears; our wonderful local community supporting each other, Kingsaid. God works wondrous deeds.

A South Jersey Glass & Door crew replace a window at the Vineland Soup Kitchen office on East Landis Avenue that was damaged by a vandal over the weekend. The glass and labor were donated by the Vineland company.(Photo: Deborah M. Marko)

By Monday evening, the shattered 5-by-8-foot window was replaced.

The South Jersey Glass and Doormanagement and employees shunned any accolades, saying helping the soup kitchen during a tough time was just the right thing to do.

To help protect the office in the future, another donor is providinga security system, Fielder said.

Many others are making donations to support the soup kitchen, hosted by Spirit and Truth Ministries, said Matt Milam, the organization's board of trustees president, thanking the community for its show of support.

Meanwhile on social media, many wondered who could do the soup kitchen harm. Soup kitchen officialssaid they weren't notified of an arrest of asuspect, who reportedly wore a mask.

The vandalism did not impact themission to feedthose in need. Food is prepared in the kitchen locatedin the First United Methodist Church basementat Seventh Street and Landis Avenue.

On Monday, they nudged their output up to 175 meals, nearly double their pre-COVID-19 numbers. The pork chops, broccoli and fried cabbage takeouts quickly disappeared into the hands of those who showed up.

We were just discussing tomorrow, Im going to make 200 meals, Fielder said.

Withincreasing demand for hot meals, there areno worries just yet about bare cupboards.

The supply chain is currently stable through the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, based in Egg Harbor Township, and the Gateway Community Action Partnership of Bridgeton.

Were going to be fine;we know how to stretch food out, Fiedler said.

Its the unforeseen expenses that they need to hurdle.

The main expense is takeout containers and utensils. With coronavirus-related regulations closing their dining room, the soup kitchen must package meals to grab and go.

To arrange a donation, please call Spirit and Truth Ministries at 856-692-2603.

Contributions may be mailedto Spirit & Truth Ministries, P.O. Box 89, Vineland, N.J. 08362.

Deborah M. Marko is a senior reporterwith The Daily Journal. Currently focused on breaking news and education issues, she also oversees community outreach programs that promote literacyand public safety.Got a story idea? Call 856-563-5256. Followon Twitter: @dmarko_dj Instagram: deb.marko.dj Help support local journalism with a The Daily Journal subscription.

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Community rallies to help Vineland Soup Kitchen recover after act of vandalism - The Daily Journal