Locals Will Walk Against Hunger in Essex County

For many of us in Montclair, this is a week of feasts and fasts, as we celebrate Passover and mark the holy days that lead to Easter. It’s an appropriate time to remember that many families in the area don’t share our bounty. Fittingly, the Emergency Food and Nutrition Network (EFNN) of Catholic Charities and Meeting Emergency Needs with Dignity (MEND) have scheduled the Eighth Annual Essex County Walk To End Hunger for Fri., May 6, 2011, 12 p.m., in Washington Park, Newark.

Walkers will proceed down Broad Street to the corner of 50 Walnut Street and then walk back to Washington Park. The purpose of the walk is to increase awareness about the increasing problem of hunger in Essex County and raise funds for hungry families who come to the pantries for help.  “Walkers will ask friends, co-workers, neighbors and family to pledge monetary support to help fight hunger in Essex County,” said Sharon Reilly-Tobin, Director of the Emergency Food and Nutrition Network at Catholic Charities.  “Proceeds from the Essex County Walk To End Hunger will be used solely for the purchase of food to stock participating pantries,” she added.

Representatives from more than 22 emergency food pantries, have signed up for the walk, including volunteers from the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges, which includes members from Congregation Beth El in South Orange , Christ Church in Short Hills, Congregation B'Nai Jeshurun in Short Hills, Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel in South Orange, and the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Orange.  Their hope is to provide hundreds of meals to needy children and families in Essex County during the summer months when supplies are at their lowest.

MEND figures point to the growing need. In 2010 there was a 20-percent increase in families coming for emergency food assistance to the 22 Essex County food pantries.

“With the severe downturn in the economy, donations are down dramatically,” explained Reilly-Tobin.  “Pantries are hard-pressed to serve the increasing number of people coming for assistance.  Much of the increase is due to a new group of clients coming for help. People who suddenly lost their job, had their hours reduced or have gone from two sources of income to only one or none find themselves coming to pantries for emergency food for their families. Only with the public’s generous support will we meet the increasing need during this difficult time.”

For more information, please contact Sharon Reilly-Tobin at 973-266-7941 or visit the MEND website: www.mendnj.org.