Programs and Services

Serving Meals

At TASK, our primary mission is to provide meals to all those who are hungry. Everyone is welcomed into the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. No questions are asked.

Every week of the year, volunteers help the TASK staff serve more than 3,000 meals in our primary facility at 72 ½ Escher Street, and in the First Baptist Church of Trenton on Centre Street.

At the TASK facility on Escher Street, mid-day is served Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. (We open our doors at 10:30.) Children receive breakfast bags in addition to a hot meal.

Dinner is served Mondays through Thursdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. (We open our doors at 3:30.) On Thursday evenings, Children receive dinner bags for Friday in addition to a hot meal.

At the South Trenton Soup Kitchen in the FirstBaptistChurch on Centre Street, Dinner is served three nights per week: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

At the **West Trenton** Soup Kitchen in the Cadwalder-Asbury United Methodist Church**** on Stuyvesant Ave.**, **dinner is served one night per week*: Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Tutoring Adults

The TASK Adult Education Program provides one-on-one tutoring in basic literacy, math, GED preparation, and computer skills. We offer a welcoming environment and individual attention for adult students (18 years and older).

Volunteer tutors offer caring, friendly assistance. Students meet with the program coordinator to set their own goals and establish timelines to meet them. TASK provides all of the necessary materials such as books, notebooks, pens, and reading glasses.

Adult education is conducted in the TASK building, mostly during hours that do not conflict with our meal program. Our schedule is flexible, however, to accommodate the needs of our patrons.

Tutoring times are:

• Mondays – Fridays, 9 to 11 a.m.
• Mondays – Thursdays, 2 to 4 p.m.
• Mondays and Wednesdays, 4 to 5:30 p.m.

The TASK Computer Center offers structured computer classes (Microsoft Office, basic and advanced) as well as one-on-one tutoring. Patrons also are welcome to use the computer center during meal times for Internet access and resume preparation.

How you can help

• Volunteer as a tutor. You do not need to be a certified teacher or even have teaching experience. Since most of our students did not succeed in a traditional classroom setting, what they really need is an open and friendly individual to work with them one-on-one. We ask that tutors commit to coming at least one session every two weeks.
• Donate supplies. We always can use spiral notebooks, pencils, pens, calculators, rulers, reading glasses (available in various strengths at dollar stores), and other school supplies.
• Volunteer in the computer center. Teach a structured class or provide one-on-one assistance.

For more information, contact Kelly Hansen, Adult Education Coordinator at (609) 695-5456 x107 or kellyh@trentonsoupkitchen.org. For the computer center, contact Diane Subber at (609) 695-5456 x106 or dianes@trentonsoupkitchen.org

Encouraging Self-Sufficiency

We at TASK support our mission to encourage self-sufficiency and improve quality of life by providing a host of support services for our patrons.

Full-time, on-site social worker

Through a contract with Catholic Charities Emergency Services, TASK has two social worker/case managers available to our patrons on a full-time basis. They provide assistance with a variety of self-sufficiency and quality-of-life issues, including housing, medical assistance and advocacy, employment, substance abuse rehabilitation, and receipt of benefits. In addition, social workers from the Mercer County Board of Social Services visit TASK on a regular basis to assist patrons with food stamp certification and other needs.

Medical services

TASK works closely with a number of area health care providers to meet the needs of patrons. Nurses from the Henry J. Austin Health Care Center and Robert Wood Johnson Hospital at Hamilton visit us regularly. These providers offer blood pressure screening, HIV testing and counseling, and other medical support services during our regular meal times.

Legal services

TASK has relationships with attorneys from Dechert LLP in Princeton, which offers legal services to our patrons pro bono. Dechert attorneys come to TASK twice a month to meet with patrons who are screened by our social worker. If Dechert is able to assist them, patrons’ cases are assigned to attorneys at the law firm who have agreed to participate in this program. Common legal situations include landlord/tenant disputes and receipt of benefits.

Telephone, mail, fax and message services

TASK maintains a telephone line specifically for patron use during meal times. Patrons can receive telephone messages and U.S. mail here at TASK. Our fax machine also is at their disposal.

Hygiene bags

TASK distributes hygiene bags each week to patrons in need. Hygiene bags include soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and disposable razors. Each patron is eligible to receive a hygiene bag once per month.

Arts & Ideas

The Arts & Ideas program provides a variety of creative activities for TASK patrons of all ages. Materials for many arts and crafts activities are always available.

Photo Ops

On Tuesdays, TASK is visited by the "picture lady," a volunteer who takes photographs of patrons at their request. These photographs are given to the patrons who often give them as gifts to family and friends.

Kids’ Time

The Kids’ Time program provides toys, games, arts and crafts activities, and books for use by children at TASK. Supervised by an adult volunteer, children participate in play and cooperative group interaction while their parents have a chance to enjoy their meals.

Celebrating Life

We recognize that for many of our patrons, the only place that a holiday or special event will be honored is at TASK. The staff – with the help of loyal volunteers – observe the following holidays and special occasions:

Halloween

TASK celebrates Halloween with a party for area children and their families. Since the party takes place during the time of our dinner, all of our patrons are able to participate and receive special treats. Children’s activities include face painting, pumpkin decorating, and holiday cupcakes and candy.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is always a busy day at TASK! We serve a full Thanksgiving dinner, and each patron is given an additional hot meal to take home along with a mid-day bag and a bag of candy. Some 100 volunteers come together annually to make this day possible. (The community of the Tollgate School in Pennington has been providing food and decorations for this special event for over 16 years, and Timberlane School has been providing take-home mid-day bags for patrons.)

Christmas

Annual Christmas festivities at TASK bring together members of the community for Christmas dinner as well as gift distribution for both children and adults. More than 50 volunteers serve a full Christmas dinner that includes take-home treats. We give gifts, including hats, scarves, gloves, crayons and coloring books, and stuffed animals, to all TASK patrons on the two days following the dinner.

Spring Egg Hunt

TASK holds an annual Egg Hunt & Party for area children. Last year’s party brought together more than 50 children and their parents who participated in craft activities, the Egg Hunt, and photos with the TASK Bunny. Goodie baskets were given to each child.

Birthdays

Have you ever considered what it would be like if no one acknowledged your birthday? This has been the experience of many of our patrons. TASK celebrates birthdays every month. We recognize patrons whose birthdays fall within the month and give them birthday cake to celebrate.