ONOMA Community Outreach, Paterson.

06/08/2026

This past Saturday was another positive morning in Paterson, with over a hundred neighbors coming through and more than 15 volunteers serving throughout the outreach.

We're grateful to the youth group from Church of Pentecost in Rutherford for coming out to serve. They also helped prepare lunch bags for the morning. We'd also like to thank Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Ramsey and ACE Baseball Club- FLOW Area for helping provide lunch bags as well.

One moment from the morning especially stood out to me.
A man had been waiting all week for a pair of sneakers.
Last Saturday, I didn't have any in his size. When I told him I'd try to find a pair, he held onto that hope and asked me about them again this week.

When I showed up with the sneakers, he was genuinely happy and relieved. He immediately thanked God and couldn't stop smiling.

It was a simple thing.

For many of us, a pair of shoes wouldn't seem like a big deal. But he had been getting by with a worn-out pair of slides, and having proper sneakers meant a lot to him.

Moments like that are a reminder that small acts of care can be very impactful.

Throughout the morning, there was conversation, prayer, encouragement, and sharing the hope of Jesus Christ.

As we look ahead to this week, socks and hand sanitizer are our most needed items and can be found on our Amazon wish list. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3KTQ66GY8JK9J/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex?

Thank you for continuing to pray, give, and serve alongside this ministry.

06/03/2026

As summer approaches, support often slows down as people travel and schedules change. One thing that remains constant, however, is our need for food.

Every Saturday morning, we bring breakfast and bagged lunches to our neighbors in Paterson. Coffee, juice, bagels, pastries, fruit, sandwiches, and lunch bags help meet a very real need. For some, the food they receive at ONOMA will be the only meal they have that day.

We do our best to bring enough each week, but most Saturdays we run out.

We're not looking for anyone to do everything. We're simply looking for a little extra help.

Maybe you could bring a watermelon. A few pies. Some danishes. A case of water. Fruit. Coffee supplies. Whatever you are able to contribute.

We will continue bringing our regular breakfast and lunch items each week. We're simply looking for people who might be willing to help us add a little more to the table so that more people leave with something to eat.

If this is something you would like to help with, send us a message. https://www.onomacommunityoutreach.org/contact-8We can arrange a drop-off, or if you'd like, you're welcome to bring items to an outreach and serve alongside us.

Thank you for your prayers and support. We are grateful for the many people who help make this ministry possible each week.

06/01/2026

This past Saturday was another full morning in Paterson, with over a hundred neighbors coming through and 15–20 volunteers serving throughout the outreach.

We're grateful to Grace Church for preparing sandwiches and lunch bags, and to Freedom City Church for coming out to serve. The women's group from Freedom City also provided special hygiene kits for the women, which were greatly appreciated.

One moment from the morning especially stood out.
A man came up to me with a big smile and shared that he had recently gotten an apartment.

He was excited and grateful. As we talked, he told me, "The prayers worked." He then asked if we would keep praying for him.
So we did.

We thanked God for this step forward and prayed for continued provision, wisdom, stability, and encouragement in the days ahead.

One of the best parts of serving each week is getting to celebrate moments like these with people. We don't always see how every story unfolds, but every now and then we get a glimpse of God's faithfulness at work.

Throughout the morning there were many opportunities for conversation, prayer, and sharing the hope of Jesus Christ. We're grateful to keep showing up and walking alongside people as best we can.

As we look ahead to this week, body wipes and socks continue to be especially helpful items and can be found on our Amazon wish list. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3KTQ66GY8JK9J/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex?

Thank you for continuing to pray, give, and serve alongside this ministry.

05/29/2026

As we prepare for tomorrow's outreach in Paterson, we'd be grateful for your prayers.

Please pray for the peace and unity that Jesus brings.

Pray for our neighbors, volunteers, and everyone who gathers tomorrow morning. Pray that there would be kindness, encouragement, and a spirit of genuine care for one another.

And above all, pray that people would experience and come to know the peace that Christ offers. The peace that brings us near to God and unites us as one family in Him.

"And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father."
(Ephesians 2:17–18, ESV)

Thank you for praying.

05/28/2026

One thing I’ve been reflecting on lately is how God continues to provide the right people at the right time.
Different volunteers show up on different Saturdays, and somehow it all comes together.
For some people, serving in Paterson feels natural and comfortable.
For others, it may be a big step outside of their comfort zone.
And honestly, I think most people fall somewhere in between.
But in all of it, God is working.
Not only are needs being met and people being served, but God is also teaching His people how to serve, love, listen, sacrifice, and be present for others.
There’s a huge difference between showing up and not showing up.
Showing up is such a simple act of faithfulness. In many ways, it’s saying:
“Lord, I’m available. Use me.”
And God can do a lot with that.
A couple of hours on a Saturday morning may not seem like much, but over time it shapes people. Relationships grow. Compassion grows. The Church becomes more connected to the people around it.
The blessing goes both ways.
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that there are also many people serving faithfully behind the scenes. There are quiet donors, prayer supporters, people preparing food, collecting items, organizing clothing, and helping make Saturdays possible in ways most people never see.
They are showing up too.
But today I’m especially thinking about the people who got out of bed on Saturday morning, made the drive down to Paterson, and chose to be present for others.
And I think that’s part of how stronger communities are built — when people choose to show up for one another in love.

“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
1 John 3:18

05/26/2026

ONOMA Community Outreach
This past Saturday was another full morning in Paterson, with over a hundred neighbors coming through and volunteers serving throughout the outreach.

We’re grateful to Wyckoff Reformed Church for sending a team to serve this week, and to a small group from Grace Church who prepared sandwiches and lunch bags for the morning. Their support and presence were a real help.

One moment from this Saturday that stayed with me was that as I was talking with one man, I reminded him that we’re here to help however we can. After a short pause, he asked if we could help him get into a detox program. It was an honest and vulnerable moment. You could tell he was tired and wanted something different for his life. So we’re going to try and help him take that next step and see where it goes.

Moments like that are a reminder that people need more than food and clothing. They need support, encouragement, prayer, hope, and people willing to walk alongside them.

That’s part of what we hope ONOMA can be each week as we do our best to show the love and compassion of Christ in practical ways and remind people that they are seen and known.

As we look ahead to this week, body wipes and socks continue to be especially helpful items and can be found on our Amazon wish list. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3KTQ66GY8JK9J/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex?

Thank you to everyone who continues to pray, give, and serve alongside this ministry.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
(Galatians 6:2, ESV)

05/26/2026

Come help make sandwiches and lunch bags for our Saturday outreach in Paterson as we serve our unhoused neighbors together.

Sign up through Grace Church below.
https://gracechurchnj.churchcenter.com/calendar/event/204713506?fbclid=IwY2xjawSB0YlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeQ5MZtiZGnL916v1RYnQe7LLcXDROAMUrX03oxyoUz5KfN-YHQykU6eSKanA_aem_lQ8j-LUDk6h-Vqau4k18PQ

Grace Church of Ridgewood's ONOMA Sandwich Prep on Church Center.

05/20/2026

ONOMA Community Outreach
This morning I’ve been thinking about the power and potential of gathering.
It’s interesting how we took this one public place in the city and, through consistency and intentionality, it has become a meeting place each Saturday morning.
And in a certain sense, I’d even call it a holy place.
Not because there’s anything magical about the location itself, but because the word “holy” in Scripture simply means “set apart” for God.
And that’s what we’ve tried to do.
Week after week, people gather there to experience care, prayer, community, encouragement, and the hope of Jesus Christ.
It’s a beautiful thing when you think about it.
And it reminds me that this kind of work can happen anywhere.
You don’t really need a building or storefront to begin loving people and either encouraging them in Christ or pointing them to Him. You just need people willing to show up consistently and make space for God to work.
I know everyone comes for different reasons. Everyone is on their own journey.
But I know why we show up.
ONOMA was started to show the love, compassion, and hope of Christ to a world in need.
And by God’s grace, little by little, that corner of Paterson is becoming a place where people gather, connect, pray, and are reminded that they are seen and known.
To me, that’s a powerful thing.

05/18/2026

We are currently looking for a wheelchair donation for someone in need in our local area. We are hoping to find a larger size, as the individual is over 6 feet tall.

If anyone has one they are no longer using, or knows of one available, please send us a message. Thank you so much!

05/18/2026

ONOMA Community Outreach
This past Saturday was another positive morning in Paterson, with over a hundred neighbors coming through and more than 15 volunteers serving throughout the outreach.

Thank you to the teachers from Sicomac School who prepared sandwiches and lunch bags for the morning. We’re also grateful to Threads of Grace for continuing to provide clothing week after week. Their support makes a huge difference.

One moment from this Saturday especially stayed with me.
A man said to me, “I think you’re the only person in Paterson who knows my name.” I hear things like that more often than you might think, and it’s always impactful. It’s a reminder that people need more than food or clothing. They need connection. They need to feel seen, known, and cared for. That’s a big part of what we hope ONOMA can be each week.

There were many opportunities for conversation, prayer, encouragement, and sharing the hope of Jesus. We’re grateful to keep showing up and walking alongside people as best we can.
We’re also thankful for the opportunity to share about ONOMA this Sunday at First Reformed Church of Hawthorne. We appreciate their partnership and support.

And thank you to everyone who has been sending socks and supplies through our Amazon wish list. This week, body wipes and socks continue to be especially helpful. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3KTQ66GY8JK9J/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex?

Thank you for continuing to pray, give, serve, and support this work.