Your Place At The Table Using SJ COVID-19 Response Fund Grant To Feed Those In Need

By CFSJ

July 2, 2020

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A $3,000 South Jersey COVID-19 Response Fund grant has helped Your Place At The Table (YPATT), a New Jersey nonprofit corporation, continue their mission of providing food assistance to those in need. YPATT has experienced a twenty-five percent (25%) increase in food requests in their service area, including Harrison Township, Mantua, East Greenwich, South Harrison, and Elk, since the beginning of the Pandemic.

YPATT — a nonprofit started by families through Bible study at Trinity and Methodist Church in Mullica Hill — works with families, seniors, and single parents to provide food assistance to those in need. As part of the program, families visit once a month to pick up food items. The group also delivers to individuals or families unable to visit the food pantry. Last year, YPATT collected more than 25,000 pounds of food. With no state or federal food donations, Your Place At The Table has always relied on the generosity of the community.

The South Jersey Response Fund grant allowed YPATT to buy additional food and special items such as milk. Prior to the grant, there were not enough funds or donations to fit special requests. Now, even with the large increase in food assistance needs, YPATT is able to meet the needs and even expand the program.

“Many small nonprofits were unprepared for a crisis as overwhelming as the COVID-19 pandemic, said CFSJ Executive Director Andy Fraizer. “The South Jersey COVID-19 Response Fund was created to support organizations like Your Place At The Table assisting neighbors with the economic crisis. Their work during this time is inspiring; CFSJ is proud to partner with them during this difficult period.”

“The generosity of the community and the Community Foundation of South Jersey during these unprecedented times is both uplifting and encouraging,” said YPATT Director Kristen Skrobanek. “Fulfilling the needs of those who are hungry will continue to bring us together, and we know the strength and perseverance of our community will support our program in the months to come.”

The SouthJersey COVID-19 Response Fund continues to respond to local nonprofits that need support to serve communities impacted by the pandemic. To date, South Jersey nonprofits requested more than $6 million, while the Fund has raised $1 million. To support the only fund where donations stay in our South Jersey region, visit southjerseyresponsefund.org.

About Your Place At The Table

Your Place At The Table is a volunteer-run organization that offers support and guidance, and a compassionate touch that builds confidence and restores self-worth. The group is focused on nourishing individuals and families by partnering with the community to provide food and supplies to those in need.

About the Community Foundation of South Jersey

The Community Foundation of South Jersey (CFSJ) envisions an eight-county region thriving where all neighbors aspire, succeed, participate, and give. The vision is realized as CFSJ inspires generosity, manages and deploys permanent charitable assets, and exercises collaborative leadership to create a more equitable region. CFSJ works with South Jersey philanthropists, local nonprofits, and neighbors to build capital, contribute assets, and create permanent endowments for impact in perpetuity. By aligning donor interests and using the investment earnings on each of its endowed funds, CFSJ makes grants and builds leadership within the community to create thriving, equitable, and livable communities for all. Currently, CFSJ manages assets of more than $25 million. CFSJ has issued more than $9 million in nonprofit grants and scholarships. Learn more about CFSJ at CommunityFoundationSJ.org.

Hammonton Responds Quickly to COVID-19 Thanks to CFSJ’s Transform SJ Training

By Andy Fraizer

June 3, 2020

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As the potential impact of the Covid-19 pandemic became apparent in early March, the Town of Hammonton, New Jersey immediately established a Coronavirius Task Force designed to help the community cope with the effects of the virus.

Community leaders were able to move quickly thanks to knowledge they gained and relationships they built through the Community Foundation of South Jersey’s (CFSJ) Transform South Jersey grant application process and subsequent grant award. As a result, the Task Force has been successful in helping the community unite during this national health crisis and plan for the future.

Transform South Jersey is based on the Orton Family Foundation’s proven national Community Heart & Soul model which empowers residents to shape their future based on what matters most to them. Hammonton was one of five communities in the CFSJ’s eight-county service area selected to receive the prestigious $100,000 grant earlier this year. CFSJ works with local nonprofits to build capital, contribute assets, and create permanent endowments for long-term impact. By aligning donor interests and using the investment earnings on each of its endowed funds, CFSJ makes grants and builds leadership within the community to create thriving, equitable, and livable communities for all.

The Hammonton Coronavirus Task Force includes four separate committees that are focused on the health and safety of the community, relieving the economic impact of the pandemic, supporting community goodwill and outreach and communication. “Going through the Heart & Soul process we learned a great deal including the need to identify new community leaders, to communicate rapidly and more directly, and to actively engage all facets of the community including government, service providers, and cultural groups,” said Cassie Iacovelli, MainStreet Hammonton Executive Director. “The pandemic accelerated the idea that we needed residents to leave any preconceived perceptions behind and work together to help the community at large, which is exactly what we have done with this Task Force.”

“One of the many things we learned during the application process and are addressing with this Task Force is a need to more broadly engage the senior community in order to better understand and address their needs and concerns,” said Task Force Co-Chairperson Jim Donio, who is an active community volunteer and a Co-Founder of the Eagle Theatre. “Another is to be more inclusive by embracing the diversity in our community in order to bring everyone together, from businesses and faith leaders to community groups and residents.”

The Task Force has also kicked-off planning to establish a Hammonton Community Fund which would initially be targeted to help with Covid-19 economic relief efforts. “This has been an unprecedented economic shutdown with effects that no one could have predicted,” said Task Force member Rich Rehmann, President of ARH Associates, Inc. “The Task Force is fortunate to be in a position where we can leverage both the resources we have brought together within the community, along with the expertise of the CFSJ to bring hope to those facing challenges brought about by the immediate effects of the virus and longer-standing systemic issues that we face.”

“During this time of crisis and uncertainty, we are inspired by how our community partners are stepping up to meet the evolving needs and challenges associated with the impacts of Coronavirus throughout South Jersey,” said CFSJ Executive Director Andy Fraizer. “Community Foundation is committed to working with our partners to address both the immediate needs of our neighbors and to plan for the longer-term needs of our communities.”

“We strongly believe following the Heart & Soul model will not only improve the constant engagement required by all stakeholders and community members within the town, but it will also lead to a long-standing, positive impact throughout the Hammonton community,” Donio concluded.

CFSJ Announces Latest Round of COVID-19 Response Fund Grants

By Andy Fraizer

June 3, 2020

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Twenty-Five nonprofits located throughout Southern New Jersey have been awarded $222,000 in funding as part of the Community Foundation of South Jersey (CFSJ)’s COVID-19 Response Fund. To date, $322,000 has been awarded from the Fund for organizations serving Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem Counties.

The South Jersey COVID-19 Response Fund is the only such effort focused solely on the eight-county Southern New Jersey region. It was established to deploy flexible grant dollars to nonprofits helping South Jersey neighbors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The stories of these organizations adapting to meet the needs of their neighbors and communities under stressful conditions with limited resources are both inspiring and sobering,” said CFSJ Executive Director Andy Fraizer. “Our hope is that this funding provides much-needed relief in their continued efforts to serve vulnerable individuals impacted by the health, social, and economic consequences of the pandemic.” Fraizer continued, “There is much work still to do. Our team is evaluating the next round of grants and while we have commitments and pledges totaling $1 million, grant requests now exceed $6 million.”

The Fund is providing grants in multiple areas based on three categories.

Phase one: Triage – Support for organization meeting the immediate basic needs of our South Jersey neighbors.

Phase two: Treatment – Support for organizations modifying their service delivery methods so South Jersey residents don’t lose access to critical health, human and social services.

Phase three: Recovery – support for organizations that had to shut down operations, let go of staff, or lost income due to postponed & canceled events because of COVID-19.

“This round of grants continues our commitment to partner with nonprofit partners making a difference on the front-lines,” said Wanda Hardy, Chairperson of the Foundation’s Community Leadership and Engagement Committee. “The generous outpouring of support received from donors, large and small, is a heartwarming sign of hope. Our South Jersey community cares.”

For more details on making donations, funding priorities, and how to apply, please visit southjerseyresponsefund.org.

GRANT AWARD DESCRIPTIONS

Allies in Caring – Hammonton
Allies in Caring is providing critical culturally affirmative & linguistically appropriate behavioral & mental health services virtually to South Jersey families & youth.

Bancroft Neurohealth – Cherry Hill
Bancroft is purchasing personal protective equipment so staff can attend to the feeding & socialization needs of low-income children & adults living with disabilities in their residential programs throughout South Jersey.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Cumberland & Salem Counties – Vineland
Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Cumberland & Salem Counties is adapting to match & train mentors virtually, so they can provide mentoring activities remotely.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Atlantic & Cape May Counties – Northfield
Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Cumberland & Salem Counties is adapting to match & train mentors virtually, so they can provide mentoring activities remotely.

Boys & Girls Club Camden County – Camden
Boys & Girls Club of Camden County is expanding virtual academic enrichment, tutoring, mentoring, job training, and social recreation activities, as well as delivering education supplies and food.

Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City– Atlantic City
Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City is expanding virtual academic enrichment, tutoring, mentoring, job training, and social recreation activities, as well as delivering education supplies and food.

Cathedral Kitchen – Camden
Cathedral Kitchen is preparing to deliver weekly meals, food, and personal hygiene items to partners throughout Camden & Pennsauken.

Emmanuel Cancer Foundation Southern Regional Center – Woodbury Heights
Emmanuel Cancer Foundation is providing services to South Jersey families facing pediatric cancer. Service includes case management, counseling, and emergency assistance for food & utilities.

Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministries – Woodbury
Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministries will purchase food, including fresh fruits, vegetables, and other staple items to supplement food received from the Food Bank of South Jersey.

Inspira Health Foundation – Vineland
Inspira Health is providing emergency financial support to employees facing unexpected expenses as a result of COVID-19 exposure, subsidizing elder care & child care for employees who are needed in the hospitals and providing additional compensation for health workers in high demand who have made themselves available to address the surge of patients.

Interfaith Caregivers – Haddonfield
Interfaith Caregivers is supporting the implementation of a “shop for” model that allows clients to receive food & prescriptions, as well as receive social phone calls.

Jersey Cape Diagnostic – Cape May Court House
Jersey Cape Diagnostic is expanding its distance-learning curriculum and virtual job training offerings to clients throughout Cape May County.

Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Southern NJ – Cherry Hill
Jewish Family & Children’s Services is purchasing food, gift cards, and providing transportation to medical appointments for Burlington, Camden & Gloucester County clients.

Joseph’s House of Camden – Camden
Joseph’s House of Camden is meeting the basic needs of its Camden County clients, including personal hygiene assistance, food, and access to human services including securing personal identification, public benefits, mental health & addiction counseling, and veterans services.

Koinonia Family Life – Camden
A partner of the Food Bank of South Jersey, Koinonia Family Life is procuring equipment necessary to transition their food distribution families in Camden to a grab & go model.

Lakewood Resource & Referral Center – Lakewood
Lakewood Resource & Referral Center is providing information, referrals, and assistance to Ocean County neighbors applying for temporary disability insurance, family leave insurance, unemployment, SNAP, and government-subsidized health insurance.

Legacy Treatment Services – Hainesport
Legacy Treatment Services is purchasing food for youth residing in group homes, personal protective equipment for staff when in-person support is unavoidable, and equipment to expand telehealth functions for clients throughout South Jersey.

Praise Tabernacle – Egg Harbor Township
Praise Tabernacle (a partner of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey), is purchasing additional food and clothing for underserved families and homeless neighbors throughout Atlantic & Cape May counties.

Puerto Rican Action Committee of Southern NJ – Vineland
Puerto Rican Action Committee is providing case management, information, referrals, and assistance to South Jersey neighbors applying for unemployment insurance benefits, SNAP, government-subsidized health insurance, and to purchase personal protective equipment for staff when in-person support is unavoidable.

Ronald McDonald House of Southern NJ – Camden
Ronald McDonald House is continuing to offer meals, laundry, and a place to stay for families of seriously ill and traumatically injured children receiving care throughout South Jersey.

Southern Ocean Medical Center – Wall Township
Southern Ocean Medical Center is purchasing personal protective equipment, food, and hotel vouchers for South Jersey frontline health care staff who have been exposed to COVID-19.

Special Children’s Center – Lakewood
Special Children’s Center is providing virtual case management & mentoring activities, as well as delivering toys & supplies to bring comfort to youth and their families throughout Ocean County.

St. John of God Community Services – Westville Grove
St. John of God Community Services is restocking their food pantry and providing counseling to low-income families throughout South Jersey.

Vineland Soup Kitchen – Vineland
Vineland Soup Kitchen (a partner of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey), is providing food, personal care items, and personal protection items to low-income, food-insecure and homeless neighbors throughout Cumberland County.

Volunteers in Medicine – Egg Harbor Township
Volunteers in Medicine is transitioning to a telehealth model to provide primary care, specialist & prescription assistance. The organization is also purchasing durable goods to facilitate the management of chronic diseases and gift cards to offset the costs of prescriptions and food.