At Port Ministries, service to the Poor and Homeless originates from the belief in human dignity and individual worth. To accomplish this service in an effective manner, we have divided the ministry to the Poor into various outreach centers under the Port Ministries umbrella:

► The Bread Truck

► Food Donations

► Pio House

► The Mantle

► The Port Free Clinic

► Home Visiting

The Bread Truck is a mobile soup kitchen which “hits the streets” daily to provide nutritious meals to the poor and children of the neighborhood. In the summer months, we serve approximately 375 lunches to children each day in the local parks and when school resumes in the cold months, we serve approximately 325 meals to poor and homeless adults and children every evening. Individuals, schools and churches donate all food products and the truck is manned by one coordinator and committed volunteers.

Food Donations are key gifts we depend on to feed poor children and adults daily in our Bread Truck and Mantle Ministries ... predominantly coming from individuals and various food organizations, suppliers and businesses. Since we feed daily; therefore, we pray and “beg” daily and are in constant need of bread, lunch meats, sliced cheese, fresh fruits, healthy snacks, juices, etc. To aid in this foundational part of our services, our “pickup” van is available to pickup and transport foods to Port Ministries.

Pio House, named in honor of Saint Padre Pio, is home to the administrative offices of Port Ministries. Its mission is "service to the servants" by facilitating communication and support necessary to the staff, volunteers, benefactors and general operations of Port Ministries. It includes the offices of the Executive Director, administrative and engineering staff; namely the ministries of Maintenance, Receptionist/Phones, Graphics/Communications, Pick-ups/driving, Development and Accounting.

The Mantle named after our Lady of Guadalupe,is a non-residential program providing sanctuary for neighborhood children and educational opportunities for their parents.
Parents attend free classes in ESL, GED preparation, basic computer classes and other various family enrichment ministries. Free child care is provided for the children of our adult students; toddlers are cared for in play areas, pre-school children through guided play and learning, and school children with tutoring, arts & crafts.

Also, offered is a child-initiated After-School Tutoring Program for neighborhood children, plus various activities and services such as family field trips, school supply and clothing drives, Theology of the Body classes for youth, etc. Much is offered under the protection of Our Lady's Mantle, but everything offered concentrates on the needs of families and improvement of the whole person in all facets of life.

Tony's Gym is a safe recreational facility for children and youth ages 8-18. Gym, fitness and tutoring /mentoring programs are available to neighborhood youth as well as children participating in The Mantle programs. Most of the neighborhood youth live in poverty with violence, gang activity, drugs and addictions in their families. These societal problems have been repeated for generations; as a result, the children all too often suffer. The wide-ranging activities available at Tony's Gym helps the child's body grow strong and healthy while continuing to educate them in valuable social and communication skills.
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The Port Free Clinic housed in our Pio House Administration building, is a basic health care provider for the uninsured and homeless. Staffed entirely by volunteer physicians and other health professionals, the clinic offers physicals, immunizations, free treatment and medications as well as educational programs such as well-baby care and other services relative to family health and well-being.

The Home Visiting Ministry is reaching into homes with listening hearts and is bringing compassion so needed to offset the loneliness and sufferings of the homebound. Its goal is to visit and bring care through listening, eucharistic ministry and prayer to those who are locked in their homes or nursing homes through illness, old age or disability.

Mission Support:

Madonna Queen of Peace , is our private “live-in” residence for Secular Franciscans, staff, volunteers, individuals dedicated to working at Port Ministries for an extended period of time; offering shelter, meals, mission/community experience, fellowship, daily Mass, prayer and support in their commitment to serve at Port Ministries. The residence also is used for events, retreats, meetings, visitors/guests, etc. as needed.

St. Mary of the Angels Secular Franciscan Fraternity, Canonically established in 1990, is a fraternity of Secular Franciscans dedicated to living the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, and are especially blessed because of the opportunity for hands-on service to the poor at Port Ministries… so essential in truly living out the Franciscan call and charism.

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