Mission & History

Founded in 1976 by four altruistic young people, for over three decades the Cathedral Kitchen has been providing meals to the poor and hungry of Camden, serving approximately 8,000 hot nutritious meals each month. The mission of Cathedral Kitchen “is to provide meals and other services to the poor and hungry of the city of Camden without regard to race, religion or sex.”

The people who come to the Kitchen to eat are among the poorest residents of the city: the homeless, the jobless, those with disabilities or addiction problems, the working poor. They range in age from infants to the elderly, but whatever their age, everyone in need is welcomed at the Kitchen and given a hearty meal.

It is hard to believe that hunger could exist in our nation of plenty, but the fact is that according to US Department of Agriculture statistics, fully 11% of families in the United States cannot afford to feed their families every month; and with the recent downturn in the economy that figure may be even higher.

Here in Camden over one-third (38%) of the population lives below the federal government’s “poverty” guidelines: their yearly income is less than $20,650 for a family of four and $10,210 for an individual. Ironically, New Jersey has a median income of over $60,000 and is ranked to be the richest state in the country.

In 2009 Cathedral Kitchen launched its Culinary Arts Training Program designed to prepare impoverished residents of Camden and surrounding communities for careers in the food service field. The program will run twice per year with the goal of graduating and placing approximately 25-30 individuals each year.

In 2008, Cathedral Kitchen moved into a new facility. In our new home, we will be able to serve impoverished residents of Camden with meals and other services, including job training and a healthy after-school snack program for children. The mural that graces the entrance of the building was the result of a Community Art Project spearheaded by Camden County College.