STEPS began in 1993 when people with low incomes, people from religious organizations, advocates, lawyers and others fighting poverty came together to protest the planned end of the states general assistance program.

Since then STEPS has sponsored the People's Convention on Poverty in 1993, with over 200 in attendance, exposing the problems of housing, education, unemployment, health care and day care.

STEPS believes in building upon it's current structure as a statewide coalition of advocates against poverty, which includes concerned low income people, other individuals and partner organizations. We believe it is necessary for this coalition to promote public awareness of poverty in New Jersey and to build understanding of citizens and government roles in solving the problems of poverty.

STEPS also believes our actions must be accompanied by careful analysis and open debates of issues, policies, and strategies, wide distribution of accurate information and building relationships with all concerned about economic problems faced by so many people in New Jersey.

November, 2001 STEPS held a meeting" Fulfilling the American Dream" to own your own home. It was the first of many forums for first time home buyers and Section 8 Housing. Over 250 concerned citizens attended.

2004 because of the large influx of Latino's in the community, STEPS added to it's organization STEPS Espanola.

2005 Steps asked the township of Lakewood for some land to build affordable housing for first time home buyers. Lakewood gave Steps 11.5 acres of land. Steps partnered with "Homes For All" to build 58 affordable homes.

2006 STEPS became involved with jobs, finding work for people unemployed, and keeping jobs in the state of New Jersey.

2007 STEPS started a Women's Center, concentrating on abused women in the Latino Community.

2007 STEPS became the Fair Housing Agency in Lakewood New Jersey, thus facilitating Landlord and Tenants issues.

2007 STEPS partnered with New Jersey Shares to help clients with their utility bills.

2008 STEPS Housing Project with NJ Hands building 72 Affordable Housing Units

2009 STEPS New Jersey Training and Placement Center

2009 STEPS Homeless Intervention Program

Mike McNeilExecutive Director

Mr. Wallace Doman IIIDirector

Ms. Lynne LiotinoExecutive Assistant

Within today’s economic climate we all are at risk of becoming victims to poverty as it exist today.

By becoming a victim of today’s economic climate it makes a victim of the very least of us.

Our Children

Missing the bus (pick-up or drop off)

Tired, Sleepy, Restless Easily Agitated Change in mood or emotions Missing homework or incomplete homework Wearing same clothes multiple days Improperly dressed for the day Hoarding or pocketing food/snacks

The child will have his or her favorite

teacher and someone that they have trust in. Depending upon the age a child will express a stressful situation in various ways.

Ms… I’m sorry to bother you, but I’ve noticed a few things in the last few days and I wanted you to know that if you need to talk, I’m free at.., and make an appointment or give phone number that they can contact you.

REMEMBER THEIR FREE TIME IS NOT THE SAME AS YOURS.

NON- JUDGEMENTALLET THEM TALK

Information from your conversation will outline your plan. This plan may just be a referral to a local food pantry, or it may be one where other agencies may have to be called in to assist.

START SMALL

In the event the parent has to go to Social Services copies of important paperwork may be missing. Being able to provide some of this information will greatly assist the parent and caseworker.

Assist in filling out the forms

One STEP at a time

Most agencies want to know if they help, how will the client move forward.

Inform the caseworker that you will assist the parent further if needed and what you have accomplished so far and this is one of their goals.

Small STEPS, small goals

Each situation is different, there is no set lesson plan. Today’s economic turmoil has reached across all levels and all levels of status. Be it wealthy, middle-class or those already existing at or below the poverty level.

Your plan has to be as flexible and forgiving as hard and unyielding as times are today.

It may be as simple as directing to a food pantry and having the student stay after to get homework done.

This will give the once married mother the chance to get off the new job and get to the school without having to put her new employment at risk.

Work within the parameters that are given by your organization, by the referring organization and by the social service agency.

We are not there to do their job.

We are only trying to assist in providing asolution.

A

Solution To End Poverty Soon

STEPSSolutions To End Poverty Soon

14 S. Clifton AveLakewood, N.J. 08701

Main (732) 367 - 1640 – Fax (732) 730 – 9091

www.njsteps.org

OCEAN COUNTY

Agency Site Address Site Town contact Phone Hours

PANTRIES        

St. Mary's Pantry 747 West Bay Ave. Barnegat   609-698-7477 Mon.- Fri 9-12 or as needed at rectory

St. Barnabas Pantry 33 Woodland Rd Bayville   732-269-2208 ext.134 M,Tues, W,F 9:30-11:30

St. Paul's Lutheran (call OCHR) 130 Cable Ave. Beachwood  732-349-0871ch

Michelle 732-505-1457 Wed., Thurs. Friday 9-3 by appt.

           

St. Francis Food Pantry 4700 Long Beach Blvd. Long Beach Twp. 609-494-8861 M,T,W,F 9:30-2:30

           

Care & Share (New Beginnings) 236 Brick Blvd. Brick   732-451-0779 Tues - Thurs 10-2:00 & Sat. 11-2

Epiphany Church Food Pantry 615 Thiele Rd. Brick   732-458-0220 office 9-5 (must call 1st)

Osbornville Baptist Ch. Food Pantry 366 Drum Point Rd. Brick   732-477-0324 Mon-Friday 9-12 (must call 1st)

St. Dominic's Food Pantry 250 Old Squan Rd. Brick   732-458-7450 M,W,F 9-11:30AM

St. Thomas Church Food Pantry 135 Salmon St. Brick   732-477-5533BY APPT. ONLY - M & Thurs. 10-12:30 Wed. 6-7:30PM

           

Lacey United Meth. Ch. 203 Lacey Road Forked River   609-693-5222 by appt.

Lacey Township Pantry (Lacey Res. Only) Parker & Station Rds. Forked River   609-693-8703

3rd Fri. Comm.Ctr 8-10 or by appt. 609-242-2848

Vetwork 103 N. Main St. Forked River   609-971-7613 Mon.thru Fri. 8:30-4:30

           

DeBows United Methodist 509 Monmouth Road Jackson   732-928-4475 Second & Fourth Mondays, 6:30-7:30

Jackson Baptist Pantry(FB must call Pat 1st) 360 Bennets Mills Rd. Jackson  

732-904-3545c or 732-901-0687h

Mon-Fri 9:00-4:00 (FB must call Pat 1st)

Jackson Women of Today (Res. Only) 10 Don Conner Blvd. Jackson   732-363-5889

4th Thurs 5-7:30 (4th Wed. 5-6:30 handicapped & 60+)

           

Calvary Lighthouse Food Pantry 1133 East County Line Rd. Lakewood   732-942-1541Mon-Thurs. 11:00-1:30, Friday 6:30-8:00, closed every 2nd Tuesday

Catholic Charities Pantry 200 Monmouth Ave. Lakewood   732-363-5322 Mon - Thurs. 9-12:30

Christ United Meth. Pantry 678 Fifth Street Lakewood   732-363-8885 T, TH, F 9-11

Intercessory (ITM) Pantry 500 Arlington Rd. Lakewood   732-905-8181 Mon. & Fri. 10:30-2 and BY APPT.

Macedonia Baptist Pantry 143 John St. Lakewood   732-905-3878 after 15th of month M/Tue/W 10-1

Zichron Schneur Pantry (Kosher) 280 Oak Knoll Rd Lakewood   732-363-6330 Sun. - Thurs. 2-5 BY APPT.

St. Anthony Claret 780 Ocean Avenue Lakewood   732-364-0660 Wednesdays 10-12

St. Mary's of the Lake 43 Madison Avenue Lakewood   732-363-6683Tues 1-4, Wed 9:30-12:30, Thurs 9-1, Sat 10-1

           

Faith Lutheran Food Pantry Rt. 35 & NY Ave. Lavallette   732-793-8138Tues, Wed, Thurs 4pm-5pm and by appt. - check w/Agency Relations

           

Tuckerton Interchurch Pantry 319 W. Calabreeze Way Little Egg Harbor   609-296-1345 M-F 2:00-4:00

           

King of Kings Food Pantry 1000 N. Main Street Manahawkin   609-597-7177 Tuesdays 4-5 PM

Manahawkin Baptist Church 400 Beach Avenue Manahawkin   609-597-7586 M-F 9-5 call first

Ocean Community Church 1492 Route 72 Manahawkin   609-597-5151 Wed. 10-12

           

Mobile Pantry (Salvation Army) 100 Grant Avenue Seaside Hgts.   732-270-8393 First Sat. of month, 9:30 - 11:30

Seaside Heights Outreach Pantry 100 Grant Avenue Seaside Hgts.   732-349-1500 Third Sat. of month, 9:30 - 11:30

           

Church Of Grace & Peace Pantry 1563 Old Freehold Rd. Toms River   732-349-1550 Mon-Fri 10-4 by appt. only

East Dover Baptist Pantry 974 Bay Ave. Toms River   732-270-4888 2nd & 4th Saturdays 9-12

First Baptist Church 700 Main St. Toms River   732-240-6490 Wednesdays 12-3:00

Jesus is Lord Pantry 2236 Massachusetts Ave. Toms River   732-901-7733 Tues & Thurs 9 - 3:00

Ocean Christian Pantry 405 Washington Street Toms River   732-240-5998 Last Saturday 9-12

Salvation Army- Toms River Pantry 1738 Rt. 37 Toms River   732-270-8393 Mon, Wed, Fri 9-12 and 1-3 Call 1st

St. Joseph's Pantry 685 Hooper Ave. Toms River   732-349-0018 x2207 M-F 10-4 Call 1st

Your Grandmother's CupboardRoslyn Plaza 173A Hwy 37 West (back of bldg. on far left) Toms River   732-240-0441 Tues. - Fri 9-4:40 or by appt.

           

Greater Tuckerton Food Pantry 258 East Main Street Tuckerton   609-294-4777 Mon., Thurs. and Sat. 9-12

Tuckerton Interchurch Pantry 319 W. Calabreeze Way Tuckerton   609-296-1345 M-F 2:00-4:00

           

St. Stephen's Church Food Pantry 367 Route 9 Waretown   609-698-8561 Mon.-Fri.9-2

River Community Development 589 Route 9 Waretown   site 609-693-3661 Tues & Wed 10-2

           

Whiting Food Pantry30 Lacey Road (Reformed Church) Whiting   732-350-0232 M,Tues.,Thurs.,Fri 9-12

           

Ocean County Hunger Relief 917-5 N. Main St Toms River   732-505-4357 Network - does referrals

           

OCEAN COUNTY

SOUP KITCHENS          

First Presbyterian Church 313 Third St. Lakewood   732-363-1444Third Saturday 12-2-closed in July and August

Macedonia Baptist S. Kitchen 143 John St. Lakewood   732-363-9804M/Tues/Wed. 11:30-1(last 2 wks of mo.)

Upper Room S. Kitchen 155-157 East Fourth St. Lakewood   732-929-8107 Tues 4:30-6:30

Ken's Kitchen St. Mary's Parish Hall Rts. 9 & 72 Manahawkin   609-660-9386 Thurs. 11:00-12:30

Sal.Army/Hearty Helpings S. Kitchen 1738 Route 37 Toms River   732-270-8393 Thurs. 5:00-7:00

Simon's Kitchen 100 Grant Avenue Seaside Hgts   cell 732-278-8347late Oct - end Apr. Tues & Fri 5:30 - 7:00

Ocean Christian Community Soup Kitchen 405 Washington Street Toms River   732-240-5998 Second Sunday 4-8

MONMOUTH COUNTY

Agency Site Address Site Town contact Phone Hours

Matawan United Methodist Pantry 478 Atlantic Ave. (Corner of Church St.) Aberdeen Brad Watson 732-566-2996 Thursdays 10-11:30am; 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 6:30-7:30pm

St. Joseph Church Pantry 42 Wooley St. Aberdeen Bob Fitzpatrick 732-290-1878 24/7 on call--will deliver food

           

Allentown Food Pantry 20 High St. (Presbyterian Ch.) Allentown Ann Marie Wiedemann 609-259-7289 Mon., Wed,, Friday 10 - 2

           

Bethel Food Pantry 119 Atkins Ave. (near Springwood) Asbury Park Kathleen White 732-776-6068 Wed. & Fr. !0:30-12:00

Cathedral Assembly by the Shore 1210 Grand Ave. (corner of Sunset) Asbury Park Natalie Smith 732-775-1696 Wed. 4:00-5:00 PM (& by appt.)

Faith Baptist Tabernacle Pantry 1209 Bangs Ave.(across from schools) Asbury Park Shiela Brown 732-988-1816 (2/27; 3/13 & 27; 4/10 & 24) 9-11AM on these Saturdays

First United Methodist A.P. 906 Grand Ave. (corner of First) Asbury Park Sony Augustin 732-775-2693 Thursdays 10-11:30am

Lutheran Church of Atonement First Ave. & Heck St. Asbury Park Maryann Bast 732-776-5727 First 4 Wednesdays of month 11-12:30.

Mercy Center (Referral Needed) 1106 Main Street Asbury Park Lynn Sikora 732-774-9397 M-F 8:30-4:30

Mt. Carmel Pantry 805 Pine St. (rectory basement) Asbury Park Marge Long 732-775-1056 Wednesdays 9:00-12:30

Salvation Army-Asbury Park 605 Asbury Ave. Asbury Park Leonel Contreras 732-775-8698 Mondays and Fridays 9-11AM

Trinity Epis. Last Resort Pantry 503 Asbury Ave. (Corner of Grand) Asbury Park Jill Osis 732-775-5084 TWF 11-1 (Tues 6-7pm for working clients)

Victory Tabernacle of Prayer 1325 Asbury Ave. (Between Prospect & Dunlewy streets) Asbury Park Valerie Suydam 732-829-1826 Tues. 10:30-1:30 (Usually closed 1st Tues. of mo.) & every 3rd Fri. 4-6PM

  ASBURY PARK SEE ALSO NEPTUNE        

           

AACC Food Pantry (United Meth. Ch.) 95 Third Ave. (Meth. Ch.) Atlantic Highlands Mary Carhart 732-291-0485 M, W, TH 9-11:30

           

Belmar Food Pantry 7th and 701 D. St.(Meth. Ch.) Belmar Bernice Poland 732-681-1385 Mon. & Thurs. 10-12

Calvary Baptist Pantry 13th & E Belmar Grace Scarle 732-681-0940 Tuesdays 10-12

           

Bradley Food Pantry , A. Park, Neptune, Bradley Beach, Avon, Belmar, Lake Como 605 4th Ave. next to St. James Ch. Bradley Beach Rich Brugger 732-775-0161 Mon-Fri 10-12PM

           

Providence Baptist 49 Kennedy Ave. (xst. County Rd.) Cliffwood Bch Shirley Underwood 732-566-4430 3rd Sat. 10:30 -noon.

           

  Eatontown see also Long Branch or W. Long Branch        

Eatontown Food Coop Res. Only 15 Meridian Dr. (off Industrial) Eatontown Joel Stark 732-610-8588 every other Wed.1-3 (3/3, 3/17, 3/31, 4/14, 4/28, 5/12, 5/26))

St. Dorothea's Pantry (no appt. needed) 240 Broad St. (Route 71) Eatontown Karen Walstein 732-542-0148 x6(SVDP) 2nd & 4th Wed. 5-7PM & 2nd & 4th Sat. 9-11AM

           

Joshua House Ministeries 42 Main St. Farmingdale Betty Ketchum 732-751-0715 Mon. 10-12/Wed. 1-3

Last Stop The Mews - 2 Liron Lane Wall/Farmingdale Ellen Albanese 732-919-6227 Thursdays 5:30-7PM

  Farmingdale see also Wall or Howell        

           

New Hope Pantry 28 First Street (corner of Center) Freehold Roberta Egerton 732-780-9210 3rd Th 4-7PM & 3rd Sat 9-1AM

Open Door Pantry 39 Throckmorton St. (xst. Main) Freehold Jeanne Yaecker 732-780-1089 Mon-Fri 10-2

           

Holy Family (Union Bch. & Hazlet only) Highway #36 Hazlet Helen Kiley 732-264-8132 Fri. & Sat. 10-12AM

St. John's Pantry 2000 Florence Avenue Hazlet Melanie Jacobs 732-264-1236 Thursdays 5:30 - 7:30 PM

           

OLPH Pantry (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) 141 Navesink Ave. Highlands Daniel Curtin 732-872-1290 ch Sun 12-2, Mon. 7-9PM

           

St. Benedict's Emerg Pantry165 Bethany Rd. (entrance on Hillcrest, located in house left of school) Holmdel John Brennan 732-264-4712 x 34 Tues.-Sat 10-1 & Tues. 6-9PM

           

Joshua House Ministeries 42 Main St. Farmingdale Betty Ketchum 732-751-0715 Mon. 10-12/Wed. 1-3

Howell Emergency Food Pantry(Res. Only) 450 Adelphia Rd. (Rt. 524) Howell Donna Howell 732-938-2368 Last Mon 4-7pm, Monday mornings by appt.

           

Emley's Hill Good Samaritan Pantry 69 Emley's Hill Road Imlaystown Tim Hare 609-259-7465 Wednesdays 6:30-8PM

Project Paul 211 Carr Ave Keansburg Sister Kathleen 732-787-4887 Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:45am to 11:45am and 12:45pm to 2:45pm.

St. Mark's Pantry 247 Carr Ave. Keansburg Doreen Minutella 732-495-5227 Tues. 12-2 & Thurs 12-2; Wed. 6:30-7:30pm working

           

Keyport Ministerium 10 East Front St. Keyport Isaiah Cooper 732-888-1986 Tues & Thurs. 9:30-11:30AM

           

Holy Trinity Pantry 408 Prospect St. (Broadway to Willow) Long Branch Theresa Burke 732-222-3216 Wednesdays 4-6PM

St. Brigid's at St. James Church 300 Broadway (x St. Slocum) Long Branch Terry Ryan (sec.) 732-222-1411 M&W 1-3pm; Sat.6:30-7:30pm

St. Luke's United Methodist Pantry 535 Broadway (corner of Washington St.) Long Branch Pastor Shim 732-222-1341 Fridays 3-5 PM

St. Michael's Food Pantry 800 Ocean Ave. Long Branch Mary Jensen 732-483-0360 x13 by appt. (3rd Saturday of month 3:30-5:30)

Reformation Food Pantry 992 Broadway (Corner of Locust) W. Long Branch Jayne Jackson 732-759-4285 Tues. 7-9pm & Sat. 8:30-10am(call 1st to pre-register)

           

Samaritan Center 211 Route 522 (In Public Works Complex) Manalapan Regina Finn 732-446-1142 Tues.,Thurs. Sat. 9:30-12:30 call 1st

           

Hope Community Church 23 Taylor Ave. Manasquan June Santucci 732-223-4115 7am-3pm M-F CALL FOR APPT.

Manasquan Food Pantry 16 Virginia Ave. (1st Presbyterian) Manasquan Mickey Kuntz 732-223-0898 M,T,W 9-2 & TH & F 9-5 BY APPT.

           

Monmouth Worship Ctr. Pantry 176 Route 79 (so. Of Wyncrest) Marlboro   732-332-9600 Tues. 10:30 - 11:30, Wed. 6-7PM Sun. 12:30-1:30 and by appt.

  Marlboro also see Freehold or Matawan        

Matawan United Methodist Pantry 478 Atlantic Ave. (Corner of Church St.) Aberdeen   732-566-2996 Thurs. 10-11:30am & 2nd & 4th Tues. 6:30-7:30pm

Matawan Food Pantry 201 Broad St. (Comm. Center) Matawan   732-566-2663 Last Sat. of mo. 9-10:30am(hol. mo. varies)

 MATAWAN AREA SEE ALSO ABERDEEN, HOLMDEL, KEYPORT & MARLBORO        

Calico Cat Pantry (Referral Preferred) 96 King's Hwy. Middletown   732-671-0550 4thTues 6:30-8:30pm & every Wed. 9:30-2:30

           

Chant Pantry 1301 Corlies Ave.(Rt. 33) Unit 1B Neptune   732-774-2712 Mon thru Fri 9-1

FPC Food Outreach 142 Oxonia Ave. (off Asbury Ave.) Neptune   732-775-8174 M 5-7PM & W 12-2 & Sat.12-2

Greater Emanuel 423 Drummond Ave. (xst Bangs Ave) Neptune   732-774-1963 2nd Tues. 12-2 pm monthly, Call 1st to register

St. Peter's Primitive Baptist Church 457 Drummond Ave. Neptune   732-546-1697 2nd & 4th Wednesday 10-2

  NEPTUNE SEE ALSO ASBURY PARK        

Sephardic Bikur Holim (Kosher) 200 Norwood Ave. Oakhurst   732-531-1117 9-5 M-F (Kosher) by appt.

           

St. Paul's United Meth.- O.Gr. Res only 80 Embury Ave.(Between NY & PA) Ocean Grove   732-775-1125 Thurs. 3-5 PM

           

Lunch Break Pantry 121 Dr. James Parker's Blvd Red Bank   732-747-1910 Mon-Fri 8:00-2:00; Saturdays 9-11:30

Salvation Army Red Bank 180 Newman Springs Road Red Bank   732-747-1626 Mon.-Fri. 9-4 by appt.

St. Anthony's Food Pantry 121 Bridge Ave.(Parish Center) Red Bank   732-747-0813 ext. 10 M &Tues. 6-7:00 PM

           

Holy Family (Union Bch. & Hazlet only) Highway #36 Hazlet/Union Bch.   732-264-8132 Fri. & Sat. 10-12

           

Reformation Food Pantry 922 Broadway W. Long Branch   732-229-9180 Tues. 7-9pm & Sat. 8:30-10am(call 1st to pre-register)

           

Last Stop The Mews - 2 Liron Lane Wall   732-919-6227 Thursdays 5:00-6:00PM

           

SOUP KITCHENS          

Heaven's Kitchen @ First United Methodist A.P. 906 Grand Ave. Asbury Park   732-775-2693 Wed. 5-7pm

St. Augustine's Soup Kitchen Atlantic & Prospect Ave. Asbury Park   732-774-3069 Sun. 1-2 Sept.-June; 12-1 July & Aug.

St. George Greek Orthodox SK 700 Grand Ave. Asbury Park   732-775-2777 Mon. 11:00-11:30am

Trinity Episcopal Saturday S. 503 Asbury Ave. Asbury Park   732-775-5084 Sat 12-1

United Fellowship Soup Kitchen 603 Third Ave. Asbury Park   732-775-2177 Thursdays 6-8PM

           

Open Door Lunch Prog. 33 Throckmorton St./St. Peter's Parish Ctr. Freehold   732-780-1089 M/Tues./W/Thurs. 11:30-1:00

           

Kitchen at St. Mark's Episcopal 247 Carr Ave. Keansburg   732-495-5227 Mon-Sat 11:15-1

           

Meal At Noon 93 Liberty St. Long Branch   732-229-1188 Wed. 11-12;Sat 12:00-1:00

           

Lunch Break Soup Kitchen 121 Dr. Parker's Blvd Red Bank   732-747-8577 Mon-Fri 12-1:30,Sat10-12