Nourishing hope. Rebuilding lives.
Providence Ministries for the Needy is a social service agency offering services—particularly food, shelter and clothing—to people in need.
Sister Margaret McCleary SP
Providence Ministries was founded by Sister Margaret McCleary, SP when she opened Kate’s Kitchen in 1980.
Recognized as being among the first to take concrete action to address the issue of homelessness in the City of Holyoke, she went on to found Loreto House in 1981 and Broderick House in 1984—with its Saint Jude’s Clothing Center, a food distribution program and the Joseph of Arimathea Guild. (The Guild offered assistance with wakes and funerals to people in need.)
More on Sister Margaret McCleary and Providence Ministries.
Addressing today’s need
Now, nearly four decades later, the following programs and facilities come under the Providence Ministries umbrella:
- Kate’s Kitchen – Serving meals seven days a week, no questions asked
- Loreto House – 18-month transitional housing program for men in recovery
- Broderick House – Single room occupancy, supportive sober living community for men
- McCleary Manor – Single room occupancy, supportive sober living community for men
- Margaret’s Pantry – Full service food pantry for qualified Holyoke residents
- St. Jude’s Clothing Center – Clothing and furniture items for people in need
- FoodWorks at Kate’s Kitchen – 12 week culinary training program that prepares students for employment in restaurant services