What began as a labor of love in 1999, by a small group of Bethel AME Church members in Millville Cumberland County has grown beyond their wildest imagination. Originally, they wanted to minister to the community and meet people at their basic level-feeding them when they were hungry. Feeding approximately 75 people a month in 1999 has grown to serving an average of over 3,200 people per month while the food pantry serves over 800 families per month. Some of those same volunteers continue to ensure that the soup kitchen feeds those who are hungry. As the longest running continuous soup kitchen in the county., Bethel has only one requirement-"you must be hungry." Individuals are asked to sign in when they walk in the door but no identification is required. Guests are allowed to eat as much as they want while they are seated in the building but no prepared meals can be taken out of the building.

In addition to the nutritional services, Bethel Development (incorporated in 2003) now provides a variety of programs to the residents of Millville and Cumberland County. They also provide employment services, one-on-one and group tutoring sessions, Home Energy Assistance, Universal Services, and an Out of School Youth Program. In 2004, Bethel recieved their first grant from the Cumberland County Workforce Investment Board and began to establish themselves as a satellite location providing a variety of employment services. Bethel's current employment services include career planning, resume writing, job search, and job coaching in Atlantic, Cape May, Salem and Cumberland counties. In addition, case managers provide one-on-one services assisting individuals in overcoming the barriers that keep them from becoming gainfully employed or maintaining their existing employment.