$414K Sustainability Grant To Help Bergen Co. Agencies Fight Hunger

HACEKNSACK, NJ — A fresh round of funding will strengthen investments in local agencies' ability to provide nutritious meals to those who are struggling to put food on the table, according to county officials.

$414,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds will be disbursed to food service organizations across Bergen County, as part of a sustainability grant that has awarded $900,000 in ARP funds across two application rounds.

“With food insecurity still impacting residents, targeted investments (like these) continue to be critical for our partners in fighting food insecurity on the frontlines," Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco said.

Items funded by the Food Security Task Force Grant Program will help 37 organizations continue to meet needs in their communities, and ensure pantry operations and food distributions can occur year-round and in all weather, a county spokesperson said.

Following a vote by the Bergen County Board of Commissioners Wednesday, the program will invest the funds into agencies for improvements to infrastructure, technology and weatherization. Requested items included new refrigerators and freezers; shelving and preparation tables; and heaters, tents and canopies for outdoor distributions.

"Supporting sustainability and essential infrastructure at our food pantries is a vital step in continuing this marathon to end hunger in Bergen County,"said Commissioner Chair Tracy Silna Zur, who founded the task force in 2020. "With so many still struggling, our pantries need our help now more than ever to ensure our neighbors have access to the resources they need."

The following organizations are set to receive grants:

1. Annie Clyde Holt Food Pantry
2. All Access Community Development Corporation
3. Ascension Church
4. Bergen Volunteer Center
5. Borough of Elmwood Park - Residents Assistance Program
6. Buddies of New Jersey
7. Center for Food Action- Englewood
8. Center for Food Action- Saddle Brook
9. Church of the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady
10. Closter Food & Assistance Board
11. Connex4NPO, a NJ Non-Profit Corporation
12. Disabled Combat Veterans Youth Program
13. Dumont Food Pantry - DCG Cares
14. Englewood Neighborhood Pantry a Nonprofit Corp.
15. Epiphany Community Food Pantry
16. Families for Families
17. Father's Cupboard at Grace Redeemer Church
18. Felician University
19. Franciscan Community Development Center of Fairview
20. Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Glen Rock
21. Helping Hands Food Pantry of Teaneck NJ
22. Jewish Family & Children's Services of Northern New Jersey
23. Meadowlands YMCA
24. Norwood Food Pantry
25. Open Door Community Center
26. Our Community Dinner Table
27. Parkside Community Church
28. Ridgewood Senior Citizens Housing Corporation, Inc.
29. Rutherford Community Pantry Inc.
30. Sacred Heart Church
31. Social Service Association of Ridgewood and Vicinity
32. Strangers Helping Strangers Food Pantry
33. The Food Brigade Inc.
34. The Office of Concern Food Pantry
35. Tri Boro Food Pantry
36. Varick Memorial Food Pantry
37. Westwood United Methodist Church