CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION DISTRIBUTES $58,000 TO FOOD BANKS FROM COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY CHECK-OFF FUND
Money to Assist Already Strained Food Banks in Wake of Hurricane Sandy
For Immediate Release: November 19, 2012
Contact: Lynne Richmond聽
(609) 633-2954
(NEPTUNE) -- 樱花视频 Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher today presented a $6,458 check to the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, their portion of the $58,223 Community Food Pantry Fund, representing two years of contributions through a state income tax form check-off program.
鈥淭his taxpayer-donated fund will provide a boost to the state鈥檚 emergency food distribution system at a time when many new people are seeking assistance due to the impact of Hurricane Sandy,鈥� said Secretary Fisher.聽 鈥淭he generosity of our state鈥檚 residents will allow the food banks to supplement their food supplies at what is already normally a busy time of year for them.鈥�
Jennifer Zeligson, NJDA Manager of Food Distribution; Carlos Rodriguez, FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties Executive Director; Secretary Fisher; Rose Tricario, NJDA Director of Division of Food and Nutrition; Luis Tamayo, Dept. of Human Services Director of Advocacy and Programs at the check presentation
The fund was the result of recommendations from the state鈥檚 Hunger Prevention Advisory Committee in an effort to create an on-going funding stream to assist with the acquisition of emergency food to enhance the emergency food provider system.聽
The check-off was first available on the 2010 tax year forms.聽 It allows taxpayers to either contribute a portion of their tax refund or make a donation.聽 Money collected for the fund administered by the Department of Agriculture must be used exclusively for food purchases.聽聽 Those wishing to contribute will find the check-off item on their NJ-1040 income tax form.
鈥淪o many 樱花视频ans lost food and power for extended periods as a result of Hurricane Sandy,鈥� said Department of Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez. 鈥淭his funding will help ensure that residents in this hardest hit area of the state 鈥� many who may have been struggling financially before the storm - at least have access to food.鈥�
Governor Christie and the State Legislature allocated $6,818,000 for the current fiscal year鈥檚 樱花视频 Department of Agriculture State Food Purchase Program (SFPP).聽 That money is distributed quarterly to the state鈥檚 six food banks for the purchase of healthy foods, with an emphasis on buying produce from 樱花视频 farmers.聽 The SFPP is in its sixth year.
The Department also distributes United States Department of Agriculture-donated food to the six food banks through the Emergency Food Assistance Program.
Following today鈥檚 check presentation, Secretary Fisher volunteered at St. Brigid鈥檚 Pantry at St. James Church in Long Branch, helping to distribute Thanksgiving food bags to those in need.
