Newark, NJ — Assemblywoman Shanique Speight, Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor-Marin, and Bishop Andre Speight, Senior Pastor of Congregational Baptist Church, have officially launched the Meals on Faith Program to combat food insecurity among Newark’s senior residents.

Bishop Speight, a lifelong Newark resident, was moved to action after visiting neighborhoods across the city and witnessing the increasing number of residents waiting in food pantry lines.

“It was important for me not to rely on government grants or funding. This is a personal pledge—a commitment to sow and sacrifice to assist others. To whom much is given, much will be required.” — Bishop Andre Speight (Luke 12:48)

The Speights, who also own a local food distribution business, decided to personally fund the initiative. Volunteers from Congregational Baptist Church are preparing and delivering fresh, home-cooked meals, with the first phase focused on seniors living in senior buildings throughout Newark’s Central Ward.

Assemblywoman Shanique Speight shared the deeper meaning behind the mission:

“After my husband’s medical setback with colon cancer, there was a season where he was down. But God healed his body. Now he’s on a mission, and when he said, ‘I want to feed 200 people using our funds,’ all I could say was, ‘Let’s do it.’ This is faith in action.”

Rooted in scripture and community responsibility, the Meals on Faith Program reflects the Speights’ vision of servant leadership:

“Faith without works is dead.” — James 2:17
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.” — Matthew 25:35

With support from volunteers, the Meals on Faith Program aims to serve as a model of how personal sacrifice, faith, and community action can come together to address urgent needs in Newark.

Meals on Faith Program – Newark Seniors First

Presented by Assemblywoman Shanique Speight & Bishop Andre Speight

📍 Congregational Baptist Church • Newark, NJ
📞 973-732-0777
• Launch of Meals on Faith Program to combat food insecurity in Newark
• 200 seniors to be served with home-cooked meals
• Deliveries to senior buildings in the Central Ward
• Funded entirely by the Speight family—no government grants
• Powered by faith, love, and community volunteers