More Families Rely On Chatham Food Distribution, Pantry

CHATHAM, NJ — As the Chatham Community Food Distribution reaches its 65th week of providing food for families in need within the Chathams and Madison, the effort still requires supplies and financial donations.

There were 44 families served through the Community Food Distribution on July 28, with 33 cars and one person on-foot, coming for food.

One of the latest hurdles, said Len Resto - a Chatham Borough Council member who also volunteers through the United Methodist Church to help distribute food and toiletries - is the cost of living. It's been prohibitive to some who have had their hours cut to a part-time status.

The Delta variant is adding another wrinkle to businesses, Resto explained on social media, with some now facing underemployment, with area employers keeping their workers part-time.

“With inflation suddenly becoming a problem, food stamps don’t go as far as they did even a month ago,” Resto said. “A gallon of milk has already jumped more than $1 more per gallon over the last month.”

“Toiletry items are skyrocketing in price,” he added.

“Some of our recipients earn minimum wage at part-time jobs and are still unable to make ends meet,” Resto said.

What Do The Food Distribution And Pantry Need?

The Chatham Community Food Distribution, as well as the pop-up food pantry are in need of particular items on a regular basis.

“The biggest help we need right now is financial so we can keep ordering the fresh produce boxes/milk/eggs,” Resto told Patch on Wednesday. “Our financial reserve will allow us to get to the end of September and then the ‘well’ runs dry.”

Part of the deficit is what he called “donor fatigue," as well as some saying COVID is no longer an issue, not realizing many are still out of work.

Resto told Facebook followers the church’s financial reserve is low, but needed to make up the difference between donated produce and getting the total boxes donated to the minimum of 25.

The produce boxes are split, Resto said; and at the July 28 distribution, though three families received an equal amount of ffood, they didn’t receive produce, because those supplies were exhausted.

How To Give

• Donate on Boxcar: The Boxcar donating platform enables donors to give money, which translates to a box of produce with a gallon of milk and a dozen eggs on the receiving end, for $40. Click here for Boxcar.
• Give ShopRite Gift Cards: Gift cards are also accepted and donated by Helping Hands. Make checks payable to Chatham United Methodist Church, earmarked for “Food Distribution - Gift Cards.” Checks can be mailed to the church at 460 Main Street, Chatham, NJ 07928. Checks can also be made out to Joan Carroll of Helping Hands and mailed to 14 Red Road, Chatham, NJ 07928.
• Give to the Pop-Up Pantry: The pop-up pantry is at the rear of the United Methodist Church and accepts shelf-stable items, not requiring refrigeration. Toiletries can also be dropped off like toothpaste, toothbrushes, shaving cream, deodorant, soaps and more. Feminine hygiene items, diapers, baby shampoo, Pediasure and similar items are also welcome.
• Donate by the Amazon Wish List: Click here to buy items from the food distribution and pantry wish list.

RELATED: Chatham Pop-Up Food Pantry In Need Of Non-Perishable Donations

RELATED: Fresh Produce, Shelf-Stable Items Needed For Chatham Food Pantry

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.