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November 17, 2020“1,000,000 people are food insecure throughout New Jersey. COVID-19 has caused this number to steadily increase. Thankfully there are organizations like the Community Foodbank of New Jersey and Catholic Charities, who are there to help those most in need this thanksgiving,” said Scott Milliken, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson CEO.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in all of New Jersey, helping thousands of people each day. One of their ministries that has seen the greatest surge in need has been their food pantries.
“We are helping more people than ever before. We are seeing more new individuals who never visited a food pantry before. This includes small business owners, and others who find themselves newly out of work. There is a great need right now, and we are proud to not only help those in need of food, but also to offer an uplifting presence and promote dignity, to those who are frightened, concerned and vulnerable” said Carlos Roldan, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson Food Pantries Director.
In a typical month Catholic Charities’ 3 Food Pantries: Fr. English Food Pantry in Paterson, Hope House in Dover, and Partnership for Social Services in Franklin, help 5,000 – 7,000 people. Since the start of COVID-19 these pantries have assisted more than 5 times their average amount of people.
Since the start of the pandemic Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson has given out over 1,000,000 pounds of food and over $2,000,000 in emergency funding.
Thursday, November 12th, was an especially prolific day for Catholic Charities’ food pantries as they gave out more food in one day than they ever have in their history.
With the help of the Community Foodbank of New Jersey, Catholic Charities Fr. English Food Pantry gave out 3,500 turkeys and 1,100 bags of food to partner charities and food pantries to help feed the hungry this Thanksgiving. This food was given out through the Community Foodbank’s Annual Turkey Drive and through the support of generous Foodbank donors. “Last year, the Community Foodbank gave out 44,000 pounds of food and about 5,700 turkeys for their neighbors statewide, through their Turkey Drive, and they anticipate this number to grow in 2020. We were fortunate to partner with them this year to help those locally. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without support from the Community Foodbank of New Jersey who do so much for so many,” Mr. Roldan added.
In addition to the turkeys and trimmings given out through the Community Foodbank, on Thursday November 12th alone, the Fr. English Food Pantry in Paterson helped support 178 families and delivered 400 bags of food (and 200 precooked hot chickens) to seniors at the Governor Paterson Towers.
“All of our many programs are in need during this critical time, including our food pantries which are completely funded by donations. 3,500 turkeys, hundreds of bags of food, thousands helped in just one day, in just one program. We are truly blessed to be able to do the vast work that we do at our food pantries and throughout all Catholic Charities,” Mr. Milliken added.
