The Barn for the Poorest Of the Poor, Inc.

In a humble spirit of dependence on Divine Providence, the Barn for the Poorest of the Poor relies upon the diligent efforts and generous offerings of many people, including co-workers, volunteers, family, friends, and benefactors to continue our vital work to deliver donated food to those most in need. We thank all of those involved for living the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and supporting the Barn’s efforts to assist the poorest of the poor.
All of us involved with the Barn for the Poorest of the Poor are inspired by the vision of our founder, Barney Welch, to help those less fortunate than us. Fortunately, Barney’s vision for the Barn has continued uninterrupted thanks to the tireless commitment of many co-workers, volunteers, and benefactors. We are all inspired each day in our support of the Barn by Blessed Mother Teresa’s example and by Barney’s simple but powerful words…”trust in Divine Providence”.

The purpose of “The Barn for the Poorest of the Poor” is to collect and deliver a surplus of food from supermarkets/bakeries, etc. to soup kitchens in Harlem, the Bronx, Manhattan, Newark, Plainfield, the Contemplative Sisters in the Bronx and to unwed mothers in Brooklyn run by Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa’s order). Food is also distributed to local areas of need such as Lunch Break and the Salvation Army in Red Bank, the Missionaries of Charity at Asbury Park, Project Paul and St. Mark’s Soup Kitchen in Keansburg, the 2nd Baptist Church in Long Branch, and Broken Loaves in Matawan. Food is also given to the Franciscans of the Renewal in the South Bronx and Newark to feed the poor. “The Barn For The Poorest Of The Poor”, incorporated in 1992 and qualifying as a tax-exempt organization under section 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) of the Internal Revenue Code in 1993, started in 1981 when Barney Welch began by taking scraps of food from dumpsters and delivering these to Mother Teresa’s nuns in the South Bronx. Barney was disabled by a very serious auto accident in January,1992 and “The Barn” was incorporated to continue his work. Today, there are over 150 unpaid volunteers (no one is paid) who move more than 8 tons of food per week to feed the poor.

Executive Director: Gerard H. Duffy

Trustee: Diane Sloand

Trustee: Patricia Walter

Trustee: Mary Falvey

Trustee: John Bruzzi

Trustee: William Faris

Trustee: Robert Gargano

Trustee: Harold Harris

Trustee: James Haggerty

Trustee: Francesca Locicero

Trustee: Michael Dunne