As SHIP's fleet expands, we are deploying more resources and emergency subsistence services to those under siege and suffering from hunger and poverty.  The battle is ongoing and we are giving it all we got!  We know the enemy and it is called - homelessness, hunger, poverty, substance abuse, mental illness, loneliness, to mention a few.

We were able to secure a gently used 30 ft. Recreational Vehicle to serve as our first S.O.S. vessel.  The SS Helene K. Carter was secured through a generous donation of $25,000.00 from her estate.  Helene was a SHIP volunteer and she will be missed.  God bless her.

The S.O.S. vehicle is plotting a course into the communities served by our Mobile Soup Kitchen - Disaster Units and to providing additional emergency subsistence assistance to those in desperate need.

On the S.O.S. vehicle, volunteers and professional staff provide referral services, emergency clothing, HIV testing counseling, and the distribution of personal items and other donated commodities to anyone in need.

Staff from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center and HIV Testing And Counseling Center will be available on scheduled days to provide confidential pre and post testing, prevention, education, and counseling.

BENEFIT's OF THE  S.O.S PROJECT

The SHIP's  S.O.S. enhances the emergency service delivery capabilities of our existing and ongoing Anti-Huger Programs.  This added mobility allows SHIP to bring needed emergency services, on a regular ongoing basis to those in need and unable to come to SHIP’s Safe Harbor - Port of Refuge in Somerville.

The need to increase the availability and distribution of emergency subsistence services including emergency food and meals has been identified by many local community groups, agencies and government groups in the state and county.

The number of men, women, and children coming to our Mobile Soup Kitchen - Disaster Unit feeding sites has more than doubled since we started providing meals.  The number of people requesting emergency subsistence assistance and commodities such as personal items, toiletries, clothing, shoes, paper goods, and other supplies has also risen dramatically.

The guest population varies from town to town.  The  S.O.S. is responding to the dramatic increase in referrals to our feeding sites from the welfare departments, Board of Social Services, Catholic Charities, Easter Seals, Alternative Inc., food banks, faith communities, and many other social service providers.

Identified target communities include the Somerset area of Franklin , South Bound Brook, Manville, and Somerville .  Sites are secured within these communities that are used as distribution points.  We are in the process of locating additional sites in Bound Brook and North Plainfield . 

Target Communities:   Somerset Estates in the Somerset section of Franklin Twp.

                                     South Bound Brook Reformed Church

 Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Manville

 United Reformed Church in Somerville

SHIP's  S.O.S. vessel continues to build capacity in the community by linking the clients served with the many programs and resources available.  This one stop shopping approach helps locate and expose an often sick and difficult population to reach population to the array of programs and life saving services available to those in need in our region.