LONG BRANCH — Family Promise of Monmouth County will hold its annual appreciation dinner, “The Promise of Spring,” at 6 p.m. May 19 at the Ocean Place Resort & Spa, 1 Ocean Blvd., Long Branch.
This year, the organization will announce its first Hope Award recipient to an individual or organization that has shown dedication and commitment to Family Promise’s mission. The 2016 Inaugural Hope Award will honor JBJ Soul Kitchen Founder Dorothea Bongiovi for her longstanding commitment to providing healthy meals to families in need and supporting Family Promise’s mission.
“On this 15th anniversary year, we are proud to have helped hundreds of families overcome homelessness. Partnering with our congregations and like-minded organizations such as JBJ Soul Kitchen, we have helped families move from hopelessness and homelessness to hope and homes they can call their own,” said Family Promise Board of Trustee President Elaine Young.
“Unfortunately, as affordable housing continues to be out of reach for many hardworking families, we turn away families due to lack of space in our current day center. This year we are moving to the grounds of the former Fort Monmouth complex and renovating a building to provide a larger day center that will provide services to help families regain their independence; we know that there is hope for a better future for Monmouth County families,” said Young.
JBJ Soul Kitchen, which hosts Family Promise families weekly at its Red Bank location, provides a warm meal and serves guests with a message of hope and community.
Tickets are $100 per person and include a cocktail reception, dinner, live entertainment, silent and live auctions and an awards presentation. For more information, tickets or sponsorship opportunities, visit https://familypromisemc.org.