UUCWC’s Council for Faith in Action (CFA) and Food Ministry are working to address the increased level of food insecurity in our communities in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Following the Unitarian Universalist Association’s lead, if you are receiving a stimulus check, please consider donating all or a portion of it to a local food bank operation if you are able to do so.
A recent piece in the Trenton Times details the challenges being faced by New Jersey’s food banks in trying to meet an unprecedented need for their assistance.
While there are many opportunities, the following have been vetted. We supply these in addition to the following organizations that have been traditionally supported by UUCWC: HomeFront (Trenton), TASK (Trenton) Fisherman’s Mark (Lambertville) and the Morrisville Food Center. – Council for Faith in Action
New Jersey
Mercer Street Friends (est. 1958 )
A Quaker-affiliated, nonsectarian 501(c)(3) organization, Mercer Street Friends honors the equality of all people and strives for a just, prosperous, and peaceful society for all. The Mercer Street Friends Food Bank has a network of 80 local food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, meal sites, schools, senior and disabled programs, and low-income housing sites. Their food distribution and hunger prevention programs reach over 30,000 people.
Donation Information: https://mercerstreetfriends.org/donation-page/
Or mail checks payable to Mercer Street Friends Food Bank and send to: Mercer Street Friends | 824 Silvia Street | Ewing, NJ 08628
El Centro (est. 1999) part of Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton
The Family Resource Center (El Centro) is a multi-service, family-focused community resource center and community building program with special emphasis on meeting the needs of Trenton’s Latino community. Services are provided to all in need, regardless of religious background. Serves three Food Pantry locations: Mercer, Burlington and Ocean Counties.
Donation Information: https://www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/donate/ or send check made payable to: EL CENTRO of Catholic Charities, 327 South Broad Street|Trenton, NJ 08608 (indicate for FOOD SUPPLY in the memo line)
Pennsylvania
Bucks County Opportunity Council BCOC (est. 1965)
Their mission is to reduce poverty and partner with our community to promote economic self-sufficiency. In the area of food security, the Opportunity Council’s Food Program is Bucks County’s lead food agency for families in need. The network includes over 60 providers and is committed to a set of operating principles that ensure quality service provision and accountability.
Donation information:
https://www.bcoc.org/support-us/Donate/donation-form/
(If sending a check, indicate FOOD PANTRY in memo field)
Bucks County Housing Group BCHG (est. 1979)
BCHG is the largest provider of homeless services in Bucks County, caring primarily for families with children as part of several housing programs. The BCHG also runs two food pantries in the county. Although their main focus is on housing, they also dedicate resources to these pantries in order to assist those struggling with food insecurity.
Donation information:
https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E115143&id=2 or send Checks made payable to: Bucks County Housing Group (indicate FOOD PANTRY in MEMO) |626 Jacksonville Road, Suite 140 |Warminster, PA 18974
**Should you wish to support the organizations UUCWC currently supports send your incentive money to:
HomeFront
https://www.homefrontnj.org/donate/
or mail check payable to: HomeFront| 1880 Princeton Ave.| Lawrenceville, NJ 08648-4518
Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK)
https://task.charityproud.org/Donate/?cid=756
or mail check payable to: TASK| P.O. Box 872 | Trenton, NJ 08605
Fisherman’s Mark
https://fishermansmark.org/programs/food-support/ or mail check payable to: Fisherman’s Mark|37 S. Main St.| Lambertville, NJ 08530 indicate FOOD SUPPORT in memo field.
Morrisville Food Center
At this time, the Morrisville Food Center is solvent and is in no need of additional financial funds. We will continue to monitor.