E-NEWS SIGN-UP DONATE ABOUT GIVING OPTIONS SERVICES SPECIAL EVENTS EMPLOYMENT/VOLUNTEERS CONTACT The History of The Ministry of Caring The story of the Ministry of Caring begins in 1976, when Brother Ronald Giannone, OFM Cap., a young Capuchin Franciscan friar, was sent by his order to Wilmington, Delaware. It took little time for Brother Ronald to notice the absence of services for the city’s poor and homeless. The lack of emergency shelters for homeless and destitute women deeply disturbed him. The loneliness and hunger of the poorest of the poor in a country of plenty appalled him. As his indignation rose, so did his passion to alleviate poverty in his new city. His life’s work now identified, he promptly set out on his mission to assure that in Wilmington, “the poor should never be treated poorly.” With no formal skills in business, Brother Ronald managed nevertheless, in a remarkably short period of time, to obtain funds for the first emergency shelter for homeless women in Wilmington. Next, he enlisted the help of committed religious orders and volunteers and on October 7, 1977, he opened the shelter which he named Mary Mother of Hope House. 1979 1982 1983 1985 1987 1989 Prev Next Emmanuel Dining Room First dining room for the hungry in Wilmington, Delaware. The Ministry of Caring today is an organization of 19 high-quality programs that serve the poor. With a current budget of over $10 million, the Ministry has accomplished much since 1977. Yet, much work remains. The poor of Wilmington will continue, no doubt, to demonstrate new needs. “Our success has been made one person at a time… one day at a time,” says Brother Ronald. With the support of staff, volunteers and donors, the Ministry of Caring will continue to help fill these unmet needs with your help. Learn About Our Services Child Care Dining Rooms Emergency Shelters Housing Options LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FOLLOW US ON TWITTER The Ministry of Caring, Inc. 115 East 14th Street Wilmington, DE 19801-3209 mail@ministryofcaring.org 302-652-5523 302-652-1919 Make a Donation ABOUT GIVING OPTIONS SERVICES SPECIAL EVENTS EMPLOYMENT/VOLUNTEERS TURKEYTHON 2021 DONATIONS HELEN & PATRICK J. MCHUGH SR. DENTAL FUND TURKEYTHON 2021 REGISTRATION YOUR TURKEYTHON REGISTRATION IS CONFIRMED! ADOPT-A-CHILD 2021 © 2021, Ministry of Caring, Inc.