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WE as the Asbury Cafe believe in two things:
All of the proceeds of the Asbury Cafe go to organizations within the local community of Albuquerque. In 2008 The Asbury Cafe donated $60,000 to our beneficiaries. to these groups. We evaluate each organization yearly to ensure that our efforts are well placed. Our simple actions touch innumerable lives. Your purchase, contribution of a pie, or time to serve, makes a difference for many people in the Albuquerque area.
This year's beneficiaries include each of the following. With our support of these organizations we hope to bring their needs and services into the "public eye". Feel free to contact them to learn how you can get involved.
The Albuquerque Rescue Mission serves breakfast and dinner to the homeless Monday through Saturday. Operating since 1954, they provide food, shelter, clothing, training, education, counseling, and more to individuals who have no other resources, and food boxes for families. Longer term residential treatment is available to a limited number of adult men and women. The mission serves over 270,000 meals annually.
Project Share provides meals six evenings per week to the men, women, and children who go there. Meals are provided, prepared, and served by individual volunteers or groups from many different organizations. Now in its 25th year, they also operate a number of other outreach programs including food boxes, a clothing bank, a book program for children, and an adopt-a-family program at the holidays.
St. Martin's Hospitality Center was established in 1985 by eight Episcopal churches to serve homeless and near-homeless people by providing resources, opportunities and hope. The services and programs provided stress flexibility, accessibility, and comprehensive care to assist individuals and families out of homelessness. The day shelter provides meals and food, showers, phone services, storage facilities, and job placement to 350-400 individuals daily. About 110,000 hot morning meals were provided last year.
The Storehouse provides emergency food and clothing at no cost to individuals and families struggling with poverty. It relies totally on volunteers and donations, with no constant source of income. It is the largest food pantry in New Mexico and in the past few years has provided over 2 million meals annually and over 400,000 articles of clothing. Both of these figures are about 10 times what they were a decade ago, emphasizing the need for the Storehouse's services. More than half of everything provided goes to children.
The First United Methodist Church Feeding Program serves about 275-350 lunchtime meals to hundreds of homeless in Albuquerque's downtown area each Monday. The church does not directly fund this program out of their operating budget, but does provide facilities, staff, and volunteers to make the programs happen. They rely on private donations for all operating expenses.
Noon Day Ministries according to its own website, has the goal of going out of business-but this will require everyone in the area to have food, shelter, and all basic provisions. In order to help achieve its goal, the organization provides meals, guidance, and other services to help those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness get back on their feet, find safe housing and gainful employment. Full meals are served at lunchtime Tuesday through Friday to hundreds of individuals. A grocery program affords their clientele with opportunities to take food home as well. At its current pace, Noon Day will provide almost 60,000 meals this year. No government funding is received.
Albuquerque Meals On Wheels since 1972 has delivered hot meals to those who are unable to prepare them on their own, regardless of age. Over 140,000 meals were delivered last year; volunteers also provide personal social contact and an opportunity for the recipients to check in on other needs. There is a Low-Income Medical Meal Program which provides services free of charge to those with the greatest need; this is funded entirely by donation. Meal preparation is coordinated with a registered dietician and special dietary needs are accommodated. The program is run on donations alone, with no federal or state funding.
South Albuquerque Cooperative Ministry is a coalition of parishes from various church denominations that have come together to help the impoverished in this part of town. Enthusiastic and tenacious, its volunteers cheerfully pool their resources to engage in services that help sustain those in need with its food programs, emergency assistance, and programs for children and education.
Good Shepherd Center offers direct service to poor and homeless people. 350-400 meals are served each day and shelter is offered to over 70 homeless men nightly. Clothing is distributed to the homeless population four mornings per week. The Center also offers a residential addiction recovery program to thirty-five homeless men who are without income. An extension of the Little Brothers Of The Good Shepherd founded in Albuquerque by Brother Matthias Barrett in the 1950's, it is now one of a network of centers that has grown internationally.
InterFaith Hospitality Network provides support to families seeking permanent housing. Each local congregation hosts families for one week at a time, offering lodging, meals and welcoming care for their guests. IHN operates solely on donations from its members. Children in the families attend school or summer programs while their parents are at work or meeting with IHN staff to find housing, employment and connect with other social service agencies.
Thank you for supporting the Asbury Cafe!