New book, ‘40 Years of Hope & Charity,’ benefits Ministry of Caring

Celebrating four decades of service to the poor, the nonprofit Ministry of Caring is now accepting orders for its new book, "40 Years of Hope & Charity," Executive Director Brother Ronald Giannone, OFM Cap., announced.

"All proceeds from our book will go to our programs that feed, house and provide other services for the homeless and poor," Giannone said, adding that longtime ministry supporter Gert Abel has underwritten its publication. "My greatest wish is that this book will raise the consciousness of many to the plight of the poor and hearts will be moved to generosity. That's really the goal."

The 266-page hardcover book, written by former News Journal reporter Robin Brown – now writer-in-residence at the Delaware Public Archives – sells for $30 with pickup at the ministry office in Wilmington or $35 with postal delivery. The author covered the Ministry of Caring for much of her 40-year career, Giannone said, so she has insight into the needs of the poor and the ministry's growth to its current 19 programs, including the three-site Emmanuel Dining Room.

Beyond sharing the ministry's evolution from an eight-bed shelter into a comprehensive network of services – now including job training and placement, crisis to permanent housing, hot showers and other help for the unsheltered homeless, child care, medical and dental care for the uninsured, affordable housing for seniors, and Delaware's only homes for those living with HIV/AIDS – the book tells behind-the-scenes stories of community support, how Giannone came to Delaware and the Village of St. John, the largest project in the ministry's history, now creating a $22 million housing complex for the elderly at the former Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. John in Wilmington's historic Brandywine Village.

Hundreds of individuals, families, businesses, faith groups, and foundations are named in the book for their various contributions to help those in need.

The book also details many ways to get involved in helping lift those in need to improve their lives, from volunteering as an individual to corporate sponsorship, and from helping feed the poor to supporting the ministry through estate giving.

"40 Years of Hope & Charity: Serving the Poor with Respect & Dignity," may be ordered by credit card at www.ministryofcaring.org or by sending checks payable to the Ministry of Caring at 115 E. 14th St., Wilmington, DE 19801-3209. The book also is sold through www.amazon.com, although direct sales provide greater proceeds to the ministry.

The Ministry of Caring is a vibrant community of staff, volunteers, donors, and diverse supporters united by a mission to serve the poor.

Through the Ministry of Caring's 19 programs at 40 sites throughout the Wilmington area, the organization strives to fulfill the vision of its founder and executive director, Brother Ronald Giannone, OFM Cap., who believes, "The poor should never be treated poorly, but with dignity and respect."

For more information, go to www.ministryofcaring.org.