RELEASE: February 3, 2005

Previous Screen

New Jersey 's Six Regional Food Banks Receive $500,000 for Emergency Food Funding

HILLSIDE , N.J. – Human Services Commissioner James M. Davy presented the state's food banks with $500,000 in additional funding to accommodate residents' emergency needs during a visit to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey today.

The funding comes from the New Jersey Hunger Prevention Advisory Committee's recommendation for 2004. The committee has appropriated emergency funding since November 2000 when the state enacted the New Jersey Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program Act. The legislation put aside $5 million in unused federal welfare funds to educate and feed families as they become self-sufficient.

“It's wonderful that the Department of Human Services is able to augment the food banks as they feed New Jersey 's hungry,” said Commissioner Davy. “But I'm not sure how we are going to provide emergency assistance once the $5 million funding runs out. I'm looking to the advisory committee to help us develop long-term funding sources so our residents can be assured of a meal.”

The New Jersey Federation of Food Banks includes six distribution centers serving the entire state through a network of public and private venues including food pantries, shelters, seniors' programs and child care centers.

“We have many ways to help residents in need get food in their cupboards so they don't have to choose between feeding their children and heating their homes,” Commissioner Davy said. These include the federal Food Stamps program for groceries and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help with heating bills. Information for both is accessible through www.NJHelps.org.

In addition Commissioner Davy plans to announce a new initiative next week that will be a single, statewide telephone lifeline that residents can use if they need to find a social services safety net.

###