By Krystle J. Bailey
Murphy’s Chicken and Potatoes Community Feeding Tour was inspired by one son’s love for his mother’s chicken recipe combined with a passion for his community. What began as a fundraiser for Andre Murphy’s church, Grace Tabernacle, has become a rapidly expanding ministry that feeds hundreds of families in South Jersey.
Andre Murphy is no stranger to serving his community. Murphy has been committed to using his gifts to better those around him for over 20 years. From hosting events for the local youth to helping families after Hurricane Sandy, Murphy has been known to jump right into action when there is a need in his community.
“We want to do things that are going to impact others. That’s the goal. If I can truly help someone else, that’s what I am here for,” shared Murphy explaining his latest venture, Murphy’s Chicken and Potatoes Community Feeding Tour.
Murphy’s Chicken and Potatoes began during Summer 2020 as a fundraiser for his church, Grace Tabernacle. Using a recipe handed down from his mother, Andre began whipping up hearty servings of the family dish. The love for Murphy’s Chicken and Potatoes began to span well beyond the Murphy family and into the hearts and stomachs of the community.
When asked about the love for the meal, Murphy shared, “It’s a simple dish but we put a lot of love on it.”
Through a partnership with Grace Tabernacle, Andre Murphy and the team decided to take the show on the road. Beginning in September of last year, they began seeking ways to deliver meals to community members in need. Several sponsors immediately jumped on board including ACCC, ACUA, City Wide Towing, Salad Chef, C.R.O.P.S, and more allowing Murphy to feed over 3,000 individuals in need just in the last two months of 2020.
The tour included weekly stops at various churches and community centers, feeding 100 meals at each stop. The feeding tour stop at Turning Point Day Center for the Homeless was a particularly special stop for Murphy. The Feeding Tour team gave the Day Center’s cooking staff the day off and spent time with the homeless center attendees.
“Just to see what they’re doing at the center to help homeless people get on their feet was inspiring. That will definitely become a weekly stop for us,” explained Murphy.
The movement received recognition in the form of a proclamation from the State Assemblymen, Mazzeo & Armato who volunteered their time to help feed the community.
With plans to expand the food distribution in 2021, Murphy was offered a mobile kitchen partnership with Ocean Inc. Having access to a mobile vehicle is the saving grace that will allow Murphy to continue to feed those in need. With so many churches and venues still closed due to Covid-19 and the temperatures dropping, the mobile kitchen allows Andre Murphy and the team to continue to serve. With help from local sponsors along with the mobile kitchen access, Murphy’s Chicken and Potatoes Community Feeding Tour will be able to more than double their outreach. Going into 2021, they look forward to feeding 1,000 free meals per week to those in need.
“When you don’t plan something and God pushes your hand, you just don’t ask too many questions. You keep going and things fall into place”, said Andre Murphy, program leader.
Learn more or get involved at www.CommunityFeedingTour.com.
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet www.KrystleJBailey.com
