(Courtesy of JFCS) On June 11, Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Northern New Jersey (JFCS) will be hosting their 13th Annual Ride to Fight Hunger. The goal of the event is to help raise money so JFCS can continue offering essential social and mental health services to the Northern New Jersey community.
The Ride to Fight Hunger was started 13 years ago to help battle one critical problem – food insecurity. It has since grown to support all four of JFCS’s pillars of service: Mental Health Services, Older Adult Services, Food Insecurity Services, and Basic Needs Assistance. JFCS provides these services to thousands of individuals and families each year, and it is through events like the Ride to Fight Hunger that it can continue to do so.
One parent expressed her gratitude to the JFCS food pantry by saying, “The Corner Market was a lifesaver for my family. JFCS provided us with food when we had financial troubles and times were tough. I thank everyone from the receptionist to the kind people who brought those generous packages to my car with welcoming smiles. Such kind acts make a difference!”
The event is more than just a bike ride (though that is where the focus lies, with 50-, 25-, 10-, and 3-mile bike routes available); there is also a guided hike, food and beverages, and fun activities for the whole family (including a magician for the kids!).
The event this year is being held in and around Spectra Labs, located in Rockleigh, New Jersey. Last year JFCS had a goal of raising $200,000 through the event, which they achieved; this year JFCS hopes to raise $225,000 so they can continue delivering their much-needed services to the community despite the rising costs to provide those services.
An event like this displays the power of community – everyone coming together to support a worthy cause. JFCS has dozens of corporate sponsors and hundreds of families, friends, colleagues and loved ones who donate to and participate in this event. It is even a great opportunity for mitzvah projects for young teens – there are 3 bar and bat mitzvahs being celebrated this year at the ride, with the kids raising awareness and fundraising as their mitzvah projects.
The need for JFCS’s services is greater than ever as they are adding on average 120 new clients every month! More children are coming to them for mental health treatment, more families are having emergency financial crises and more adult children are approaching them for help with their aging parents.
If you would like to learn more about, donate to or register for JFCS’s 13th Annual Ride to Fight Hunger, you can visit their site: RideToFightHunger.com or call
201-837-9090.
