Trinity First Hope

Photo by Bill Horin/ArtC

Story by Rob Laymon/ArtC

Commissioned by Holly City Development Corporation

When Trinity First Hope Center opened in 2020, a dozen hungry people stopped by for bottled water and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. A lot has changed in six years. “Today, we serve full-course meals for 80, seven days a week,” says Donna Stiles, who runs the Center at 102 South 2nd Street.

The program grew out of COVID. “The poor and unhoused had few options for food as fast-food restaurants and other businesses closed during the pandemic. We saw a need and decided to do something about it,” Donna says.

And they’re still doing it, with an even more ambitious mission. Today, Donna and her small band of volunteers work with Rutgers, Veterans Affairs, Oaks Integrated Care and other experts, providing clothing, workforce training, counseling, addiction recovery, mail handling, and many other services designed to help the underprivileged get back on their feet.

In space donated by First United Methodist Church, they help whomever comes through the door, with no judgment or strings attached.

“We do it because it’s the right thing to do. Our guests are human beings, each with a name and a life story. They’re people, worthy of love and respect,” Donna says.

Contact: Donna Stiles

856-506-5371

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