Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Northern New Jersey (JFCS NNJ), in collaboration with eight other Jewish Family Services agencies in New Jersey, is pleased to announce the receipt of a joint grant of $175,000 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in support of the Cooking Companions Program.

This pilot project will collectively serve 15 of the 21 counties in New Jersey. The goal of the Cooking Companions Program is to enhance the quality of life for frail and homebound older adults by addressing the issues that they face, including social isolation, depression, inadequate nutrition and poor health. Through volunteer visits, JFCS NNJ expects to provide seniors with meal preparation assistance while also offering companionship during meal times. These volunteers will be recruited, trained and supervised by JFCS NNJ social workers.

“We are thrilled to offer another essential program to our isolated seniors who reside in the northern New Jersey community,” said Susan Greenbaum, CEO of Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Northern New Jersey. “The Cooking Companions Program will be a nice complement to our existing Kosher Meals-on-Wheels, Friendly Visitor and Care Management Services, providing an additional touch-point with this vulnerable population.”

Each of the nine agencies will have a nurse or dietician educating volunteers on nutritious food choices for various diets related to chronic conditions affecting seniors (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, etc.)

For more information about volunteering for the Cooking Companions Program, or to learn more about JFCS senior services, please call 201-837-9090.