OUR HISTORY

A Ministry Built Around the Table

The story of Spirit & Truth Ministries began in 1976, when Richard and Amy McGlynn founded a small house ministry in Pleasantville, New Jersey, originally known as God Is Love Fellowship. Neighbors gathered around an open dinner table to share a meal, study the Bible, and find a safe place to talk openly about the challenges they were facing.

As relationships grew, so did the ministry's mission. Beyond offering spiritual encouragement, the McGlynns began providing food, clothing, and practical assistance to individuals and families in need throughout the surrounding community.

Growing to Meet the Need

As outreach expanded across the Atlantic City area, Spirit & Truth Ministries officially incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1979, laying the foundation for future growth and community impact.

Richard McGlynn and ministry staff began constructing a new headquarters in Vineland in 1983. The facility was completed in December 1986, establishing a permanent home for the organization's expanding programs and services.

The Birth of Vineland Soup Kitchen

In 1991, Spirit & Truth Ministries partnered with the Vineland Ministerium to officially open Vineland Soup Kitchen, creating a collaborative community response to hunger in the city.

The ministry continued to grow through partnerships with local churches. In 1992, operations expanded to include Convenient Orthodox Presbyterian Church, followed later that year by Mt. Pisgah U.A.M.E. Church. Over the years, as the need for meals continued to grow, the Soup Kitchen continued to relocate several times, operating out of various churches throughout Vineland. Each move reflected the community's willingness to come together to ensure that no one went hungry.

Responding to Hunger in Vineland

In 1988, Spirit & Truth Ministries assumed leadership of a monthly fellowship lunch program at First Presbyterian Church in Vineland. Initially serving 30 to 40 guests, attendance quickly grew to 150 to 200 people each month, demonstrating the tremendous need for free community meals.

Held on the third Saturday of every month, the program welcomed everyone, with many guests experiencing homelessness, living on limited incomes, or being older adults. Meals were made possible through food provided by the Community FoodBank in Landisville, along with donations from local businesses and vendors.

During this time, Spirit & Truth Ministries also operated an emergency food pantry with support from the Community FoodBank.

The overwhelming response to these programs made one thing clear: Vineland needed a dedicated soup kitchen that could provide meals on a regular basis.

Looking Toward the Future

As the needs of the community continue to evolve, so does the organization. In 2026, the ministry announced its new public identity as Vineland Community Kitchen, a name that better reflects its role as a welcoming gathering place where food, compassion, and community come together. While the name has changed, the organization remains dedicated to continuing the legacy that Richard and Amy McGlynn began around a simple dinner table in 1976.

A Permanent Home

After years of serving from multiple church locations, the Vineland Soup Kitchen found a permanent home in the basement of First United Methodist Church in downtown Vineland. Having a consistent location allowed the organization to expand its programs, build stronger relationships with guests, and create a welcoming environment where individuals could rely on a hot meal and compassionate support each weekday.

What began as a monthly meal program evolved into a comprehensive hunger relief ministry.