Dear Friend,
Recent executive orders in New Jersey have mandated the closure of schools and the shuttering of businesses considered non-essential, encouraging all residents to stay home in an unprecedented effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.
So many of us have the luxury of being able to visit the grocery store to ensure food as we work from home and share warm dinners with family at night. But for nearly 900,000 of our neighbors who face food insecurity, and for those who are newly struggling due to the economic impacts of COVID-19, stocking up, or even purchasing any food at all, may not be an option. In fact, just last week, more than 150,000 people in our state filed for unemployment claims.
I recently visited Elizabethport Presbyterian Center, one of our largest agency partners, where I was greeted by a shocking sight — people wearing masks and gloves, standing six feet apart from each other, waiting with empty carts on a line wrapped around the block to receive food. Though we are inundated by images like this on the news everyday, the impact of the pandemic on our neighbors in need never ceases to astonish me.
CFBNJ and its network of more than 1,000 partner agencies are their lineline, maybe even their only chance at keeping their basic needs met throughout this crisis. In response, we have:
But we can’t continue this effort without your help. Right now, CFBNJ faces about half a million dollars in extra food costs per month to keep up with the growing demand, and this expense may grow. Please make your most generous gift today to help us put nutritious meals on the tables of struggling seniors, business owners, and families during this challenging time.
Thank you for fighting hunger alongside us,
Carlea Sturdivant
Agency Relations Manager
P.S. Stay informed by visiting cfbnj.org and checking our social media channels often. If you or a loved one is in need of food or requires help applying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, we are here for you.