First Fruit Ministries

We provide holistic solutions that rescue victims from their traffickers, move people from the streets into housing, and bring healing to wounded souls.

First Fruit Ministries provides vulnerable members of our community with a sense of home on our campus—offering a deep sense of belonging to people living on the streets.

As homelessness and trafficking grow rapidly in our city, we’re pushing further into the streets and dark places to offer hope and restoration.

Our impact

Each year we provide:

30 victims of human trafficking with stable housing
24 families with rental assistance, ending their homelessness
729,475 pounds of food to food-insecure neighbors through our food pantry
514 homeless men and women with showers, a laundromat, hot meals, and free medical care
18,000 hot meals on the streets

Our mission

We share God’s unconditional love through outreach and supportive housing with people experiencing homelessness or human trafficking

Over 250 people will sleep on the streets tonight in New Hanover County— vulnerabilities like opioid use, past trauma, and financial hardship make this population particularly susceptible to human trafficking and other abuse.

As New Hanover County rapidly grows, the need for affordable housing is at an all-time high for homeless individuals. Unfortunately, as costs of living increase, they cause increased disparity because affordable housing becomes unattainable for people with mental, behavioral health, and substance abuse disorders.

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Who we are

Started in 1998 by founders Rick and Lee Anna Stoker, First Fruit Ministries envisions a community where people in crisis are quickly connected to resources and wrapped in support through medical care, housing, food, and counseling.

It starts on the streets

Our outreach team brings hot meals, medical care, clothing, and supplies to the unsheltered community in Wilmington 5 days a week to build relationships

Outreach Center

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we offer a day shelter with showers, a laundromat, case management, primary medical care, a church service, and re-housing services for men and women facing homelessness. Trafficking victims identified on the streets are quickly connected with housing and supportive services to begin their recovery.

Supportive Housing

Our case managers work with people experiencing homelessness, interpersonal violence, or trafficking to provide safe, stable housing at First Fruit Ministries while they rebuild their lives by getting a job, substance abuse treatment, mental health care, and other services.

Empowered to Self-Sufficiency

Many people we serve ultimately desire to become self-sufficient. However, our goal is to show unconditional love no matter the situation we encounter. We provide resources and let each person meet their goals towards becoming permanently housed.