At a March 17 press conference at the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County in South River are representatives of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and social service agencies that are participating in the hunger initiative.
Photos by Debra Rubin
How to help
Nonperishable canned and boxed nutritious food items, baby supplies, and personal toiletries can be dropped of at The United Way of Central Jersey in Milltown and at the public libraries in East Brunswick, South Brunswick, North Brunswick, Edison, Metuchen, Milltown, Monroe, Perth Amboy, Plainsboro, South Plainfield, Spotswood, and Woodbridge. M.C.F.O.O.D.S., the county food bank, will pick up donations from business, religious, and community organizations; call 732-729-0880.
Stamped kosher-for-Passover food or kosher food will be accepted at: Jewish Family & Vocational Service, 52 Concordia Plaza, Monroe (609-395-7979); JFVS at 32 Ford Ave., Milltown (732-247-3727); or the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, 230 Old Bridge Turnpike, South River (732-432-7711).
Monetary donations are being accepted by JFVS, federation, and Catholic Charities in East Brunswick (write “Hunger Coalition” on memo line of check). M.C.F.O.O.D.S. accepts only grocery store gift cards.
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March 31, 2009
The Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County has taken the lead in an interfaith anti-hunger coalition.
Hoping to stem the rising tide of hunger in Middlesex County caused by the economic crisis, the coalition of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and social service agencies officially launched its initiative during a press conference at the federation’s South River offices on March 17.
Organizers announced a Passover/Easter food drive as the centerpiece of the effort.
In unveiling the program — The Middlesex County Coalition to Combat Poverty and Hunger — federation president Lee Livingston said, “What our rabbis have taught us is that if all the ills of the world were put on a scale, that hunger and poverty would outweigh everything else.”
He recalled a 2001 visit to Argentina at the height of that country’s economic crisis, where he saw a line of people waiting for basic assistance.
“I remember standing there and thinking they looked like me, dressed in suits and ties,” said Livingston. “I said, ‘Thank God this could never happen in America.’ But it is happening.”
That is why, he said, “I’m so thrilled and pleased today” to introduce the project.
The federation, through its Jewish Community Relations Council, received a $4,000 matching grant from the Confronting Poverty initiative of the national Jewish Council on Public Affairs to launch the liaison effort.
Becky Eisen, JCPA poverty campaign field organizer, said that the federation initiative was exactly what her organization had in mind when it established the grants.
“There are anti-poverty coalitions in other communities, but one didn’t exist in Middlesex County, so we were really excited to see them take this initiative,” she said during a phone interview with NJJN from her Washington office.
Eisen said the JCPA was especially pleased about the “umbrella approach” undertaken in Middlesex. Such a move “really helps interfaith groups to open lines of communication in fighting different kinds of poverty.”
Welcome partnership
The new coalition will initially focus on encouraging food donations and financial contributions. The program and drop-off sites will be publicized through fliers, newspaper advertising, and appeals in religious institutions. The agencies and institutions will also encourage their constituents to demand that their elected officials support and fund programs to ensure food needs are met.
Middlesex County Freeholder Blanquita Valenti spoke about the growing needs of food banks and soup kitchens throughout the county during the March 17 press conference.
“It is simply unacceptable to accept poverty or food scarcity in our county,” said Middlesex JCRC director Gabriela Sadote Sleppin, who is serving as contact for the coalition. “The federation is dedicated to humanitarian causes and is vested in advancing social policy, legislation, and responding to the needs of vulnerable populations.”
Many of the involved groups expressed confidence that the anti-hunger coalition would continue with its efforts after the initial stage ends on April 14.
“We really hope this can continue past the two months,” said Livingston.
Marianne Majewski, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Metuchen, said her agency welcomed the opportunity to partner when approached by federation.
“It is such a wonderful opportunity for faith-based groups to come together,” she said. “All of our missions are to serve the poor and hungry regardless of religion, race, or creed.”
Coordinating the effort with federation and Catholic Charities will be the Jewish Family & Vocational Service of Middlesex County.
JFVS vice president Jack Goldberg said that those being helped could be the neighbor standing behind you at the supermarket or sitting in a car alongside yours at a local gas station.
Other agencies and groups that have joined the campaign are the New Jersey State Association of Jewish Federations, United Way of Central Jersey, Presbyterian Church of Jamesburg, Islamic Society of Central Jersey, and the Middlesex County Food Organization and Distribution Services, the county’s centralized food bank serving more than 65 local food pantries and soup kitchens.
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