Who we are

The Ministry of Caring is a vibrant community of staff, volunteers, donors, and diverse supporters united by a passion to serve the poor. Together, we gladly give of ourselves to fulfill the vision of our founder and executive director, Brother Ronald Giannone, OFM Cap., “the poor should never be treated poorly.”

To learn more about us, click here >> Who we are

The Ministry of Caring joins the community in mourning the loss of former Wilmington Mayor Michael S. Purzycki, who passed away May 19.

We share our deepest condolences with his wife Bette, and their three children, Gage, Adriane and Mick, their extended family and his countless friends in the city and beyond.
Mayor Purzycki was a longtime, outspoken supporter and friend of the Ministry’s Founder & Executive Director Brother Ronald Giannone, OFM Cap., and his work to improve the lives of the city’s poorest residents.

“Mayor Mike Purzycki was a true developer,” Brother Ronald said. “While his experience and focus were on the Riverfront, as mayor of the entire city, he worked earnestly to create affordable housing with the Land Bank and other agencies that develop safe and low-cost housing. 

“The Ministry of Caring gives testimony to his commitment to provide decent housing for seniors, as he gave his support and blessing to the Village of St. John and Villa Maria, now under construction.  Not only will they provide additional housing units for the seniors, but they have uplifted the neighborhood of Old Brandywine Village.”

The former mayor recognized the city’s need for more affordable senior housing and played a vital role in the Ministry’s creation of the Village of St. John opened in 2019 at the former Cathedral Church of St. John campus at Concord Avenue and North Market.

“Like every Ministry project before it,” Mayor Purzycki said while the project was underway, “the Village of St. John is yet one more example of Brother Ronald’s guiding principle that ‘The poor should never be treated poorly.”

Leading the city, he consistently sought ways to support Brother Ronald and the Ministry, which highlighted one of his thoughts on the cover of “40 Years of Hope & Charity: The Story of The Ministry of Caring,” published nearly a decade ago:

“It is difficult to imagine what Wilmington would be like without Brother Ronald and The Ministry of Caring, and I am not sure I would even want to try…. Fortunately for us, Brother Ronald has shown no signs of slowing down. He continues to identify unmet social needs and develop creative solutions to address them.”

Brother Ronald felt similar appreciation of Mayor Purzycki.

“We salute his memory and his endorsement of providing for the least among us – those without homes and in need of emergency shelter,” he said, adding his gratitude that Mayor Purzycki also “welcomed the service of The Ministry of Caring at the Emmanuel Dining Room, which feeds the hungry of our city.”

The former mayor also volunteered serving meals to Emmanuel Dining Room guests, including on Thanksgiving Day.

As we grieve the loss of our dear friend and share our prayers for his eternal rest and grace, we remain profoundly grateful for his lasting, positive impact on the city, its residents in all walks of life and The Ministry of Caring.