Helping Those who are Food Insecure

Over 1,000,000 people are food insecure in New Jersey.  Nonprofit organizations like Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson, are there to answer the call of those in need.

“Hunger is its own epidemic, especially during this critical time.  With so many of our sisters and brothers out of work, Catholic Charities is a lifeline,” 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. 
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.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson, offers a wide array of additional services including help for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (The Department for Persons with Disabilities), the largest nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment center in the country (Straight and Narrow, as well as services for seniors, children of all ages, Veterans, immigrants, and Emergency Support Programs throughout 3 counties.

Our Emergency Support Programs, suchas Catholic Charities’ Food Pantries, have been in high demand.  They have seen a significant increase to call volume from people in need; up 70% from typical months.  There is also heightened demand for hotel placement - this has gone up tenfold throughout the last several months..  Catholic Charities works with local, state and federal officials to provide funding to those in need, but also relies on the Unmet Needs Fund – supported through donations – to help those who are ineligible for support or in need of emergency and rapid assistance.

Since the start of the pandemic we have given out over 1,000,000 pounds of food and over $2,000,000 in emergency funding. 

“I love Catholic Charities, because we help everyone who comes to our door, including individuals who are undocumented. Often isolated and afraid, these people have been hit especially hard by the pandemic,” said Carlos Roldan, Catholic Charities Director of Food Pantries.

“There is one individual especially who impacted my life. Rolando was from Guatemala. He came to the United States before COVID to work and send money back to his family. To make a long story short, we found Rolando dying, hungry and alone. I visited him every day and befriended him.  Our friendship started with one bag of food. Over the final months of his life, Catholic Charities was able to assist Rolando to help him find comfort,” Mr. Roldan added.  (To read Rolando’s full story please visit www.ccpaterson.org/rolando.)

Catholic Charities operates 3 food pantries throughout New Jersey to assist the over 1,000,000 New Jersians, like Rolando, who are food insecure. Their largest food pantry is the Fr. English Food Pantry in Paterson. 37% of Paterson residents are food insecure, many of them children.  

“Throughout the last 6 months, we have helped more people that anytime before in our 80-year history. All of our many programs are in need during this critical time, including our food pantries which are completely funded by donations. We are blessed to receive support from generous donors, the Diocese of Paterson, the Community Foodbank of New Jersey, St. Joseph’s Health, The New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund, the Knights of Columbus and many other service groups and individuals who see the importance in the work we do,” said Chris Brancato Catholic Charities Development Director.

To learn more about Catholic Charities widespread response, get help, or contribute, visit www.ccpaterson.org/corona.

With the help of the Health Coalition of Passaic County(HCPC) St. Joseph’s health proudly donated 100,000 nutritious meals in an effort to reduce food insecurity within Paterson. The meals were distributed to 9 local organizations that provide social services to individuals and families in need, including Catholic Charities.  Pictured here are Catholic Charities Staff and Food Pantry Volunteers.

Representatives from Vidya Vikas Charitable Trust, present a check at Catholic Charities Fr. English Food Pantry in Paterson.  37% of Patersonians are food insecure. 


Bishop Kevin Sweeney  at Catholic Charities partnership for social services food pantry in Franklin. 

Rolando (left), who died in August, happened to be undocumented, from Guatemala. Catholic Charities' assisted him during his final days.

Greg Birrer of the Knights of Columbus, Council 6320 from Succasunna, stands by food being donated to Catholic Charities. With the help of the Paterson Federation Knights, this group has donated 3,000 pounds of food over the last several months to Catholic Charities' pantries.