Grant to help fight child hunger and support Backpack/Pediatric Pantry programs
The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties recently received a $75,000 grant from Our Family Foundation by Stop & Shop as part of their new three-year Fighting Child Hunger initiative to increase access to healthy, nutritious food for children in need of healthier diets.
The Fighting Child Hunger grants program at The FoodBank impacted more than 11,500 youths in approximately 29 sites and provided more than 500,000 meals in 2015.
“More than 40,000 children in Monmouth and Ocean counties lack access to the nutritious food children need to learn and have a healthy and active lifestyle. This new collaboration with pediatric clinics provides free fresh food and produce, the essential nutrients for a healthy diet, to families in need at the same time they receive healthcare from our partners,” said Carlos Rodriguez, Executive Director of The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
About The FoodBank Pediatric Pantry and Backpack Program:
The Pediatric Pantry visits two family health centers each month in Neptune and Lakewood to service clients referred by their health practitioner. Clients receive a variety of fresh produce, fresh milk, yogurt, and whole grains.
Our Backpack Program provides packages of child-friendly food on Fridays afternoons to 730 children at 29 elementary schools. The program provides 99,280 meals each year to ensure that all children have enough to eat on the weekends.
“Stop & Shop is committed to support the on-going crisis of child hunger through Our Family Foundation grants,” said Don Sussman, President of Stop & Shop New York Metro Division. “It remains unconscionable that far too many children in the tri-state area go to sleep each night hungry and by offering these grants to a wide network of regional food banks, we hope to address this issue in a substantive manner.”
*Photos: Arlene Putterman representing Our Family Foundation, and FoodBank Staff and Volunteers at one of the Pediatric Clinics.