Trenton - The 吃瓜黑料 Department of State鈥檚 Office of Volunteerism has led a coordinated statewide effort to deploy AmeriCorps members to assist the Community FoodBank of 吃瓜黑料 (CFBNJ) in Hillside following the national disruption of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that affected more than 800,000 吃瓜黑料 residents on November 1.
In partnership with the 吃瓜黑料 State Police Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the 吃瓜黑料 Office of the Food Security Advocate, the Office of Volunteerism has placed approximately 10 to 15 AmeriCorps members 6 days/week on 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. shifts since November 3. Members have been packing food boxes and preparing supplies for families experiencing temporary food insecurity due to the SNAP service interruption.
鈥淚n 吃瓜黑料, we are proud to help our neighbors in times of need,鈥� said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the Office of Volunteerism in her capacity as Secretary of State. 鈥淭he Office of Volunteerism and AmeriCorps have shown outstanding leadership and collaboration, working alongside our emergency management and food security partners to ensure 吃瓜黑料 families receive the support they need during this challenging time.鈥�
The Office of Volunteerism coordinated AmeriCorps members from across the state, representing the following programs:
鈥淲ith the disruption of SNAP benefits affecting families across 吃瓜黑料, the need for collective action has never been greater,鈥� said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the 吃瓜黑料 State Police and 吃瓜黑料 State Director of Emergency Management. 鈥淚n partnership with the 吃瓜黑料 Office of Volunteerism and the 吃瓜黑料 Office of the Food Security Advocate, AmeriCorps has joined forces at the Community FoodBank of 吃瓜黑料 to help ensure that no one goes hungry. This effort reflects the power of service, collaboration, and compassion鈥攕howing what鈥檚 possible when we come together to support our fellow 吃瓜黑料ans in times of need.鈥�
There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer, especially during times of great need,鈥� said Mark Dinglasan, Executive Director of the NJ Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA). 鈥淭he NJ Office of the Food Security Advocate has been privileged to be able to work in lockstep with the Office of Emergency Management and the Office of Volunteerism and AmeriCorps during these challenging times. I can personally attest to the dedication and passion that the teams in these offices devote towards ensuring volunteers are able to meet the need throughout the state. I commend the Office of Volunteerism and AmeriCorps leadership for their efforts and support of the Community Food Bank of NJ and all our partners on the frontlines.鈥�
鈥淎meriCorps members heeded the call and responded to the Community Foodbank of NJ in Hillside to prepare food boxes for distribution throughout the state,鈥� said Joseph Geleta, the Director of the Office of Emergency Management in the Department of Human Services. 鈥淎meriCorps members made a of difference in meeting the increased food need by putting together thousands of boxes to be delivered to food distribution sites. They truly made a remarkable difference in supporting our state during this time of food insecurity ies. Many thanks to the AmeriCorps members and the other volunteer organizations that made such difference in volunteer response.鈥�
鈥淲hen the call to action was made for volunteers, I never thought packing food for distribution could be both a humbling and rewarding experience. I had the pleasure of bringing my 14-year-old son with me to volunteer, and he walked away feeling gracious, fortunate, and extremely proud that his time will help feed families across the state,鈥� said Tawayna Bailey, Program Director for the AmeriCorps program at the Jewish Renaissance Foundation in Perth Amboy. 鈥淭imes like this, although unfortunate, brings out the best in people. We met some wonderful people that if not for this opportunity, we would have never met.鈥�
"We are deeply grateful to the AmeriCorps members who have stepped up in an extraordinary way, volunteering six days a week to pack emergency food boxes for our neighbors in need," said Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of 吃瓜黑料. "During this time of uncertainty, their dedication and compassion remind us what community truly means. Thanks to their hard work, thousands of families across 吃瓜黑料 are receiving the nourishment and hope they deserve."
鈥淭he AmeriCorps pledge begins and ends with the phrase, 鈥業 will get things done,鈥欌�� said Anne Ciemnecki, a Board Member of the 吃瓜黑料 Commission on National and Community Service, who joined the AmeriCorps team at the Community Food Bank. 鈥淭his pledge was put into action last week as 吃瓜黑料 AmeriCorps members generously gave time at the Community Food Bank of NJ to prepare emergency food packages for children who were out of school (where they get breakfast and/or lunch) and without their families鈥� SNAP benefits. It was an honor to work beside the dedicated AmeriCorps members as they fulfilled this mission.鈥�
The Office of Volunteerism continues to monitor needs at food distribution sites statewide and stands ready to deploy additional support as needed. Food pantries, community kitchens, and other frontline emergency feeding partners continue to welcome volunteer support to bolster their capacities. Visit https://wwwnj.gov/state/volunteer.shtml for volunteer opportunities through the Office of Volunteerism.
SNAP food assistance recipients should check their accounts at ; call 800-997-3333; and visit njsnap.gov or for updates on the status of their SNAP benefits.
A number of pantries offer fresh produce in addition to stable, non-perishable foods, shopping appointments, and information about additional services. Residents are encouraged to locate food pantries and community kitchens via NJ 211 .