Jchoice.Org

The SHARE Project is a performing arts program based out of the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen in Trenton, NJ. Through this program, individuals are given to the opportunity to express themselves creatively through original writings and music, both of which they practice at least once a week at program meetings. SHARE has performed at over 30 venues since January of 2009 and continues to schedule performances. In addition to the performance aspect of the SHARE Project, individuals are invited to attend various musical and theatrical performances.

The SHARE Project is open to all who wish to participate, and all guests are welcome and encouraged to attend, even if it’s just to sit in and observe. The SHARE Project provides a welcoming atmosphere to those interested in the performing arts, it allows members and performers to grow and develop their craft in an area where they might not otherwise get the chance, and it gives a voice to members of the community who are often ignored.

The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) began by feeding sixty hungry people in the basement of a Trenton church in January 1982.  By the end of 1982, TASK had served more than 40,000 meals.  We now serve a hot, nutritious lunch Monday through Friday and dinner Monday through Thursday and at our main site on Escher Street.  In 2003, we added a satellite meal site in Trenton’s South Ward and in 2007, we added a second South Trenton satellite and expanded South Trenton meal service to four nights each week.  In 2008, we added a satellite meal site in West Trenton serving dinner one night each week.  Last year, TASK served a total of 180,000 nutritious meals (over 3,400 each week).

Feeding is just the first step. Our ultimate goal is to help our patrons achieve self-sufficiency. A significant barrier for many of our patrons is lack of education and a lack of self-esteem.  For this purpose, we offer an Adult Education Program, Computer Classes, and a Performing Arts Program.

In 1992, TASK implemented an Adult Education Program (AEP) that provides tutoring in literacy, basic math, preparation for high school equivalency exams, and basic computer skills.  Volunteer tutors work one-on-one with patrons, coordinated and supervised by a trained staff member.  Our AEP exists to catch individuals who have fallen through the cracks in the standard school system.  Our Computer Training Center instructs individuals in basic computer skills, resume preparation, and job hunting through scheduled classes and public computer lab with Internet access. 

Since 2002, We have a full-time social worker to assist patrons with issues such as housing, employment, healthcare, and addiction treatment. We distribute an average of 350 hygiene kits each month that contain items that food stamps cannot buy such as shampoo, deodorant, soap, razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste. We offer patrons an option to pick up their mail at TASK, as well as use our phone and fax services free of charge.

Each month we collect donations and conducts giveaways for patrons according to the demand and volume of donated items. Giveaway items include socks, coats, hats, gloves, scarves, toys, grocery items, and other necessary items. We also hold contests each month distributing prizes to participants as well as celebrate patron birthdays once a month.

Our mission is “to respond to the needs of hungry people in the Trenton community by: (1) providing meals to all those who are hungry; (2) providing services to encourage self-sufficiency and improve quality of life; (3) informing the wider community of the needs of the hungry; and (4) advocating for resources to meet those needs.”

The SHARE Project aims to increase clients’ self-esteem by giving a voice to all those interested in poetry, music, dance and theater, and to improve quality of life by exposing a new demographic to the arts.

At each meeting, individuals who choose to participate in the program work on writing new material and then share it with the group to gain feedback and receive constructive criticism. In addition to the weekly meetings, the group takes trips to see local theatrical productions, musical concerts, dance performances, and poetry readings. These trips serve as inspiration to aspiring artists because many of our patrons have never been given the opportunity to see productions such as these or to travel outside their hometown.

 

Name of Organization:Trenton Area Soup Kitchen
Number of Paid Staff:21
Number of Volunteers:2,500 annually
Total Organizational Expenses:$19,920
% of Organizational Overhead Expenses:13%

The SHARE Project’s mission is to raise self esteem and provide an opportunity for growth for a population who normally wouldn’t get a chance to experience performance art.

Our program allows creativity to fly freely. Members are encouraged to state opinions, offer feedback, and express themselves creatively while maintaining a comfortable environment for all. Each day individuals who use our soup kitchen services must overcome difficult obstacles. Surrounded by poverty, hunger, and violence, many of the people we come into contact with live from one day to next with very little guarantee of anything. The SHARE Project allows participants the opportunity to take a break from what could be viewed as mentally and emotionally exhausting lifestyle and provides an outlet for expression.

Over the past year, TASK has witnessed the extremely valuable role the arts have played in enriching lives. Program participants have become more motivated, more responsible, and more confident in daily interaction.  Many of our patrons are very talented to begin with, and it is remarkable to see talent improve and self-confidence grow when individuals are given the opportunity to perform for an audience. 

While individuals may have been introduced to The Arts in a limited way through early education, SHARE expands its participant’s knowledge and allows them to discover new things about themselves.  SHARE gives individuals a chance to develop a skill set and tailor it in a direction that’s comfortable with them. 

What sets us apart from other programs is that we deal with an adult population. Locally there are many programs in place that provide young children with opportunity for growth, for instance many after school programs offer an arts component.  Much of our patron population did not complete high school, and have never received education or opportunity in any arts related field.  SHARE is one of the few local programs that provides adults with an opportunity to learn and experience new things. SHARE highlights the talent and potential of its members. It’s their words, their stories and their common passion for the arts that make SHARE successful.

In February of 2010, Shoprite Partners in Caring ran a contest asking people to submit videos that used creativity to discuss and express the issue of hunger in our world. Artists from The SHARE Project compiled a script entitled "The Red" using our original poetry that dealt with hunger. We created a storyboard and volunteer Frank Lettieri directed and filmed the piece, bringing our vision to the silver screen. The result was tremendous. We were named grand prize winners! The prize? Members of our group are pictured on the back of 150,000 "Expressions of Hunger" Cheerios cereal boxes sold in Shoprite stores all over the northeastern US.
 

One of TASK’s missions is to improve the quality of life for its patrons. SHARE was created with that intention. Not only have SHARE members improved their communication and public speaking skills, but through writing SHARE members have also found similarities amongst each other and built relationships. As a result of these new-found friendships; when one of our artists gets better the entire group does too.

When Ethel first started attending SHARE meetings, she was so shy she wouldn’t even talk.  She would quietly ask the person next to her to read her poetry aloud for her.  After a few meetings, Ethel became comfortable enough to read her poetry for the group.  Months later, she was reading her poetry for audiences of more than 100 people.  Ethel is now one of the most vocal members of the group, and she goes out of her way to make newcomers feel welcome. She has become close friends with the other members of the group, most of whom she had never spoken to before joining The SHARE Project. She has expressed that being part of the SHARE Project relaxes her and she looks forward to the weekly meeting where she can get away from the stress of everyday life and express herself through her poetry.

Kyle was one of the individuals for whom The SHARE Project was created.  Prior to The SHARE Project, Kyle would use the TASK computer lab to type and print his original poetry and then would hand out copies to the TASK community as a gift.  The SHARE Project gave him an opportunity to improve his writing and public speaking/performance skills, as well as receive inspiration from fellow artists.  Kyle now has been published in two poetry anthologies, and regularly performs his poetry at local venues. Kyle says “The SHARE Project allows me to express things through poetry that were deep down inside that I never could say before.  Because of this, I now am not afraid to say what I feel. Having once been in a shadow, in a shell within myself, The SHARE Project showed me how to be me/free. Through listening and learning from others peoples’ poetry and opinions, I am learning to develop my own identity.”
 

Arts and Culture
Education
Hunger & Nutrition
Poverty
Self Esteem

Individuals of all ages are welcome to volunteer during the music and poetry programs.  Input toward poetry, music, and performance aspects is greatly appreciated by SHARE participants.  Musicians of all ages are also welcome to participate in the music program or give lessons to participants at TASK throughout the week.   

Youth ages 13 and older are able to serve meals at TASK in the morning or afternoon.  Younger individuals may donate wrapped utensils, baked goods (e.g. cookies or brownies), or bagged lunches. People of all ages are also welcome to hold drives to collect canned goods, clothing, glasses, hygiene items, school supplies, etc. for distribution at TASK.  Individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent can tutor in our Adult Education Program in the morning or afternoon. 
 

Name:Jaime Parker
Title:Community Relations & Development Coordinator; SHARE Project Coordinator
Address:P.O. Box 872, Trenton, NJ 08605
Telephone:(609) 695-5456 x105
Email:jaimep@trentonsoupkitchen.org
Website:www.trentonsoupkitchen.org