By Krystle J Bailey
Since its inception in 2020, the non-profit organization Healing for the Soul, led by Chef Andre Murphy, has fed over 15,000 people in need throughout Atlantic County. With various initiatives now in place, the organization has gained over 50 endorsements and sponsors since 2020.
What began as a fundraiser for Murphy’s church has become an expansive ministry and contribution to local communities. One church feeding led to another, and within the span of two years, Chef Murphy and his team have gone on to feed people by the thousands.
The original dish, Murphy’s Chicken N Potatoes, is now FDA-approved, and initiatives have expanded to include feeding programs for seniors, first responders, schools, and those impacted by tragedy.
PBS network caught wind of what Chef Murphy and his team were up to and have begun filming for the Table for All docuseries that will air this coming spring. The filming team recently visited Egg Harbor Township to cover the Racing to Feed campaign, an event that fed hundreds of Atlantic County first responders.
In addition to the first responders campaign, over the last six months, Healing for the Soul has given out free meals to over 3,600 local seniors, 16 displaced families due to a fire, 355 pre-Thanksgiving dinners at senior living buildings, 150 family meals for the Egg Harbor Township community, and gave out 125 meals during the Egg Harbor City Coalition Coat Drive.
In February, the organization will be introducing the “Heat N Eat” campaign that will provide two local elementary schools with countertop refrigerators stocked with the signature FDA-approved Murphy’s Chicken N Potatoes dish. Students in need of a hot meal are invited to take a container home that can be easily reheated and enjoyed for dinner or an afternoon snack. Refrigerators will be restocked each week, and Chef Murphy is looking to expand into additional schools.
“Last year, we fed kids during an after-school program,” explains Murphy. “Many kids expressed that the food we were giving them would be their last meal of the day, and that just didn’t sit right with me.”
The 60-day pilot program offers children who don’t go home to a warm meal an opportunity to be nourished and feel the love in each meal that is provided by Healing for the Soul.
In the next several weeks, the Healing for the Soul team will be opening the doors to their headquarters located in Pleasantville. They are looking forward to opening food centers where community members in need will be able to stop by and grab a hot meal to go. The goal is to implement 8-10 local feeding centers over the course of the next three months.
“For the last two years, we’ve been studying the eating habits of seniors, low-income families, kids, and people in need,” explains Murphy. “We understand what is needed, and we are bringing our resources together so everyone can benefit. Our doors are always open for collaboration or partnership. It takes a village, and we are always moving forward.”
Since the first time Chef Murphy began distributing his family recipe of chicken and potatoes, he has hit the ground running. Food insecurity is an increasingly troublesome reality for many families in Atlantic County, and Chef Murphy and his team are dedicated to feeding as many people as possible.
The team is comprised of 8 core members and 15 volunteers who share the vision and a heart for the community. Feeding events are made possible by gracious local sponsors, including Kramer Beverage, ACUA, and Parke Bank.
Healing for the Soul is currently accepting donations in the form of countertop refrigerators, volunteered time, or monetary donations. As they continue to expand, Chef Murphy knows that this is just the beginning and looks forward to serving more and more local communities.
Learn more at www.RacingtoFeed.org or get in touch with Chef Murphy at ChefMurphy@racingtofeed.org / 609-338-2829.
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.
Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
