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.