Every day, hundreds of families turn to Mercy Center seeking something many of us take for granted – nutritious food, guidance through a difficult crisis, or hope for a better future.
Today, Mercy Center serves more than 10,000 people each month through our food pantry, Family Resource Center, and other programs. Since 2021, demand for our food pantry has increased by nearly 7,000%, while our Family Resource Center delivered more than 7,320 direct services to children and families last year alone. What began nearly 40 years ago as a small Asbury Park nonprofit now serves individuals and families throughout Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, Mercer, Camden, and Essex Counties.
At a time when poverty rates are rising and inflation makes it harder for families to keep a roof over their heads, our services are needed more than ever. To meet this urgent demand, our mission – and our facilities – must grow.
Mercy Center’s current campus has served our community faithfully for decades, but it was never designed to meet today’s unprecedented demand. Mercy Center currently operates from four separate, outdated buildings, making it difficult for families to access services and limiting our ability to grow. Our new home will unite every program under one roof, creating a welcoming, efficient, accessible and dignified place where families can receive the support they need – in one location.
Our new facility will transform how we serve the community.
Your support will help bring our Food Pantry, Family Resource Center, administrative offices, and future community gathering spaces together under one roof.
Located in the former Walgreens at 901 Main Street in Asbury Park, Mercy Center’s new home will feature an expanded food pantry, a welcoming Family Resource Center, counseling and volunteer spaces, and a community café. Thoughtfully designed with sustainability, accessibility, and energy efficiency in mind.
Goal: $10,000,000
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our donors, we have already raised approximately 83% of our $10 million campaign goal!
We invite you to join individuals, businesses, foundations, and community partners who are investing in a stronger future for our neighbors. Every gift—large or small—helps bring Mercy Center Under One Roof.
“This isn’t simply an investment in a building. It’s an investment in thousands of lives and in the future of our community – It doesn’t get better than this” -Generous Donor
Through a $10 million capital campaign—already launched with a $5 million lead gift—Mercy Center will create an environmentally responsible, state-of the-art facility in Asbury Park. This new home will ensure food security, strengthen families, and provide a pathway out of poverty for generations to come.
Your generosity makes this vision possible.
Please consider joining us in building a brighter future
“Under One Roof.”
