An Eastern Christian 'house of hospitality' serving our neighbors in Trenton, New Jersey.
"Whatever you do to the least of these, you do unto me." (Matthew 25:34-40)
ABOUT US
St. Basil's House, a NJ Not-for-profit Corporation (incorporated December 8, 2016), has IRC §501(c)(3) status (effective May 1, 2017). The purpose is to serve those in need in respectful, personal, and attentive ways, while providing opportunities for Eastern Christians to see and serve Jesus Christ in those in need, and to build relationships with them. We have focused on Trenton, NJ, because most of the original members of the Board of Trustees were from the Trenton area and were willing to work in Trenton, and because many of the people of Trenton live in poverty.
The Corporation does not own any real estate at this time. We operate free of charge from a private residence located in Trenton's West Ward. Our current activities are limited to those that might reasonably take place in a private house.
Since we began active operations, our most consistent activity has been on Wednesdays, 9am-11:30am, when we offer breakfast (usually made by one faithful volunteer), Bible study, prayer, groceries, toiletries, used clothing, and fresh produce in season (provided by Ephrosini's Garden at Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow, Church, Princeton, NJ), and delivered by a volunteer from St. Mark's Church (Wrightstown, PA). These gatherings are hosted by volunteers from various churches. Much of the shopping is done by a volunteer from the Church of the Annunciation (Brick Township, NJ).
Social media work and website design for St. Basil's House is done by a volunteer from Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow, Church (Princeton, NJ). The gardening is now being done by volunteers from Holy Trinity Church (Philadelphia, PA). Canned food is regularly donated by the people of Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow, Church (Princeton, NJ), and was formerly donated by the St. Simon of Cyrene Mission (formerly of New Brunswick, NJ), and Christ the King Church (Tullytown, PA).
Neighbors drop in for tea, for emergency supplies, and to take showers.
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In the past, we have been privileged to offer:
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painting classes led by members of St. Mark's Church (Wrightstown, PA);
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blankets and sleeping bags donated by St. Anianus Church (Monroe Township, NJ);
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new shoes donated by St. Anianus Church (Monroe Township, NJ) and the SS Mary and Martha Fellowship at Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow (Princeton, NJ);
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Thanksgiving groceries provided by Christ the King Church (Tullytown, PA);
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Christmas stockings, Easter baskets, and Halloween treats provided by the Saints Mary and Martha Fellowship at Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow (Princeton, NJ) and by St. Mark's Church (Wrightstown, PA);
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Christmas gifts provided by St. Mark's Church (Wrightstown, PA), Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow (Princeton, NJ), and by St. John the Baptist Church (Alpha, NJ); and
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home-made breakfast baked goods given by St. John the Baptist Church (Alpha, NJ), the Church of the Annunciation (Brick Township, NJ), and a member of St. Mark's Church (Wrightstown, PA).
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We have been privileged to host special workdays with the members of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship at The College of New Jersey, with the youth of St. Anianus Church (Monroe Township, NJ), with the members of from Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow (Princeton, NJ), St. John the Baptist Church (Alpha, NJ), St. Mark's Church (Wrightstown, PA), and St. Stephen's Church (South Plainfield, NJ).
We have tried to offer residential services, but we have found that this cannot be successful without more supervision than we are able to offer.
Our activity is limited by a lack of volunteers. There is a great need for community, for prayer, and for listening ears. Please consider joining with us. And please pray for us!
UPDATE JUNE-JULY 2024
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We are currently offering an eight-week Grief and Loss Support Group on Saturdays, led by Professional Art Therapist Kristina Baktis of Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow (Princeton, NJ), with coffee and breakfast snacks, access to clothing, and followed with a bagged lunch. Again, these gatherings are hosted by volunteers from various churches.
We are currently running a drive for new back-to-school shoes, to be distributed at the end of August 2024. Beginning in August, we plan to be open on the first and third Saturdays of each month, from 10:30am until 12noon, for coffee, breakfast snacks, prayer, and distribution of used clothing and, hopefully, new socks and underpants.
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WHO WAS SAINT BASIL?
At the time of a severe drought in 369, Basil preached several sermons on wealth and possessions, stressing the theme of property as something entrusted to us, rather than as something we permanently own. In his sermon, "On Greed," he warned that "the one who does not clothe the naked is a robber, the cloak you keep locked in your closet belongs to the naked, the shoe that molders in your possession belongs to the person with no shoes, the silver that you have buried belongs to the person in need. You do an injury to as many people as you might have helped with all these things."
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Basil did not simply preach about social justice and economic equality. As bishop, he developed a large complex of apartments for guests, needy travelers, and the poor, called the Basiliad, where the sick received medical and hospice care and the poor who could work were employed or trained in various trades.
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Get to know St. Basil better by following in his footsteps.
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