Archdiocese provides school supplies to families and children in need
Mercy House, a family-oriented resource and referral center run by the Archdiocese of Newark Respect Life Office, distributed dozens of backpacks complete with school supplies to students during its Back-to-School Day on Tuesday, Aug. 30.
Newark’s Clinton Avenue, the street outside of Mercy House, was packed with families and school-age children on Tuesday − some of whom arrived five hours in advance of the event − as volunteers inside prepared to distribute back-to-school supplies to community members. The Newark-based charity provided approximately 100 families with children grades K-12 with free supplies for the upcoming school year.
Piles of donations lined the bustling hallways of the Mercy House, including boxes of notebooks, paper, rulers, pencils and pens, crayons, art supplies, calculators and more − all items generously donated by Archdiocesan parishes, schools, individuals, and organizations. Every child who attended the event left with a backpack filled to the brim with school supplies.
“Today at Mercy House, we are distributing back-to-school supplies and backpacks to make sure that each child in the community has the supplies they need for a happy and productive school year,” said Cheryl Riley, Director of the Respect Life Office and Mercy House at the Archdiocese of Newark.
Mercy House is a family-oriented resource and referral center in the heart of Newark with a focus on assisting pregnant and parenting women who need a safe and supportive environment. For over 20 years, the Respect Life Office of the Archdiocese of Newark has provided spiritual retreats and healing for those who have had an abortion. In 2018, the Archdiocese opened the first Mercy House location in Newark to provide a safe, faith-filled environment for expecting mothers, individuals dealing with addiction, and those in abusive relationships. Additional Mercy House locations in Hudson and Union counties are planned. Mercy House provides necessities to families in need, distributing 3,000 bags of food annually and 40-50 bags of clothing and household items every week.
As of 2022, the Census Bureau report states that the approximate population of Newark is 307,220, with a poverty rate of over 26%. The Mercy House’s ministry goal is to make sure that members of the community are supported as needed and provided with resources and assistance with necessities such as clothing, food and household items.
“Today, we provided two moms with uniforms and school shoes for their children, along with backpacks,” Riley said. “There have been times when children could not even start school because they did not have the supplies or proper uniforms. We will help any moms that need help getting uniforms and school shoes. We want to make sure that each child has the essentials.”
Mercy House is open year-round on Tuesdays and Fridays to provide food, clothing, baby supplies, and furniture and to aid in finding work and housing for individuals and families in need. Learn more by visiting www.rcan.org/respect-life/mercy-house.
