Homelessness Declared a Major Challenge Facing Cape May County

CAPE MAY – The Salty Dogs Jazz Ensemble and the popular Bittersweet Duo will join with the classical pianist James Dell’Orefice and violinist Maria Dell’Orefice, along with the vocalist Geri Mingori, who are all donating their talents to perform on Sunday, March 5 at the Cape Aid Benefit Concert for the homeless of Cape May County.
The concert will take place at the First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., beginning at 3 p.m. Donations only. No tickets are required to attend.
The concert will benefit the Branches Outreach Center of Rio Grande, the only service center providing meals, clothing, counseling and assistance in finding shelter for the poor and homeless in Cape May County. The Branches, an outreach of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church of Stone Harbor, is open six days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and all day during Code Blue emergencies or excessive heat warnings.
Homelessness in Cape May County, estimated by the County Social Services and local advocacy groups to be in the hundreds, is one of the major challenges to the seashore communities in South Jersey. Cape May County has only one outreach center—established by a local church and staffed only by volunteers and supplied by donors through the county—dedicated to those without shelter, who are most often malnourished and in need of clothing, medical treatment and counseling. Recently, Cape May County has announced a 10-year program to provide adequate housing and resources for the homeless in the county.
A Voice For the Homeless, a coalition of Cape May County residents who are concerned about the plight of our neighbors who are poor, hungry and homeless, is presenting the concert together with Cape Aid, an arts performance group formed to provide support to local service organizations for the needy.