(Courtesy of JFCS) For too many families in our community, food insecurity has been a constant struggle—a daily reminder that the COVID-19 pandemic is still present in all of our lives.
Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Northern NJ (JFCS), in Teaneck, has seen the impact of this virus firsthand. Serving Bergen, Passaic and Hudson counties, the agency offers food assistance services through Kosher Meals on Wheels deliveries and The Cornet Market, a “choice” food pantry. Pre-COVID, the agency served 75-100 families through its pantry program; now that number has skyrocketed to 552 households—and this number only continues to grow each week.
From the onset of the pandemic, Susan Greenbaum, CEO of JFCS, understood that food insecurity was going to become a long-term community issue. Under her leadership, JFCS has been addressing the very real challenges facing families. Susan oversaw the expansion of the JFCS Food Pantry, renamed The Corner Market. With the support of Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey and other partners, JFCS streamlined operations and increased the pantry’s capacity—both with the physical expansion of the pantry space and in its capability to service more members of the community. Individuals can now schedule a pickup appointment online, noting their household size, kosher status and food and household item preferences. Using staggered appointment times to ensure confidentiality, staff bring pre-packed bags down to clients’ vehicles in a fully contactless manner.
Now, with over 2,300 people receiving food assistance at the agency, JFCS has made it a priority to educate others on food insecurity in the community. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Susan Greenbaum addressed students from Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County about the surprising number of local families who rely on JFCS and others to help them feed their families:
“Food insecurity can impact anyone, especially with all the uncertainty COVID has caused,” Susan told the students. “It is no one’s fault and we want to make sure everyone receives the food they need without any concern of judgment.”
JFCS is a part of Bergen County’s Food Insecurity Task Force, a coalition of nonprofits that strive to end hunger as a result of the pandemic. Under the leadership of Tracy Zur, Bergen County commissioner, the Task Force has helped nonprofits like JFCS work together to provide healthy, accessible food options for families—and opportunities for nonprofit leaders like Ms. Greenbaum to coordinate services and supplies where needed.
“With food insecurity becoming a pressing national issue, JFCS is well-positioned to meet the growing needs of our community. The food and household items that our clients receive on a regular basis provide them with a sense of relief. The money they save on groceries can now go toward rent or childcare, helping to reduce stress and anxiety for the families,” said Susan.
If you could benefit from food assistance from The Corner Market, please visit www.jfcsnnj.org/market to schedule an appointment online. If you would like to sign yourself or a loved one up for Kosher Meals on Wheels, please call 201-837-9090 or email [email protected]. You can learn more about JFCS’s other services at www.jfcsnnj.org.
