HealthBarn Foundation, founded by Stacey Antine, MS, RDN, Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce, and participating local restaurants celebrated securing a $1M state grant to deliver 100,000 high-quality nutritiously balanced meals to Bergen County residents facing food insecurity at an alarming rate due to the pandemic. The entire grant will be used to support restaurants in Ridgewood’s Central Business District.
The grant was awarded through the unprecedented New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s [NJEDA] Sustain and Serve program announced today to fund nonprofits that enlist local restaurants to prepare and distribute ready-to-eat meals. Meals will be distributed on a weekly basis in Ridgewood to Ridgecrest Senior Housing, S.H.A.R.E. Senior Homes, Social Service Association of Ridgewood, West Bergen Mental Health, and to food pantries throughout Bergen County.
Commissioner Hache helped spearhead the partnership between HealthBarn and the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce’s “Feed the Frontlines” initiative in April 2020, helping qualify the Foundation for the NJEDA grant submission. The state’s grant program is designed as a two-pronged approach to help those most severely impacted by the pandemic: the food insecure and the local restaurant industry.
How can you help?
Multiple volunteer drivers are needed daily at 4:30 pm to pick up 50 to 100 meals from Ridgewood restaurants and deliver them to a distribution center in Bergen County.
10 drivers are needed on Wednesdays at 3:30.
It is a contactless process, and drivers are encouraged to stay in their vehicles at all times.
Sign up for as many slots as you'd like and detailed information will be emailed to you the day before your shift.
For more information, contact FeedtheFrontlinesVolunteer@gmail.com or 201-851-3262
Thank you for helping serve the needs of Bergen County!
Stacey Antine, MS, RDN, author, Appetite for Life, founder, HealthBarn USA, director, HealthBarn Foundation, co-host, Family Food Expert Internet Radio Show, and recognized as top 10 dietitians nationally by Today’s Dietitian magazine for her work with HealthBarn USA.
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