Center for Food Action: Action beyond the Bag: 2018 Impact

Emergency Food:

Through a combination of donated goods, monetary donations, produce grown in CFA’s garden and the 447.792 pounds of food rescued from 12 area supermarkets, CFA supplies 6 area pantries serving thousands of local residents. ($5,000,000 worth of food distributed).

An emergency food package consists of seven days’ worth of food. In 2018, CFA assisted more than 4,600 household a month (64,046 Emergency & holiday food packages).

Several hundred volunteers gathered over two days to assemble more than 3,100 Thanksgiving packages (9,386) Thanksgiving meals).

Weekend Snack Pack and Smile Packs were distributed to children in 14 area elementary schools (32,215 Weekend Snack meals).

In 2018, CFA helped 823 households with rent, security deposits, utility and heating bills ($760,000 in rental, utility and heating assistance).

The impact we made in 2018 is a direct result of the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who gave so generously of their time (37,508 hours).

For more information, please contact Patricia Epsy, Executive Director/pespy@cfanj.org

192 West Demarest Avenue

Englewood, NJ  07631

(201) 569-1804

http://www.cfanj.org

Hackensack/Mahwah/Ringwood/Saddle Brook/Bergen Community College

CFA Programs:

Emergency Food: Once a month households receive food for about 28 meals, including a substantial amount of fresh produce, meat, frozen vegetables and dairy, along with other basics. Diapers, adult briefs, pets food and cleaning and personal care items are also given, as needed.

Thanksgiving Packages:  Turkeys and all the traditional Thanksgiving foods are given to families for the holiday.

Weekend Snack Pack: Each Friday during the school year, CFA delivers packs of nutritious  foods to area schools so that children who are eligible for free and reduced price school meals do not go hungry on weekends.

Smile Pack: A pack containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, etc. are given to children as part of the Weekend Snack Pack program each school year.

Dinner4Seniors: Provides low-income seniors an extra four complete dinners.

Diabetic Food: Low-sugar, low-salt packages for people who are on special diets.

Homeless Prevention, Heating and Utility Assistance: CFA prevents evictions and the disconnection of utilities by paying security deposits, rents and heating and utility bills on behalf of households in need of short-term assistance.

CFA Garden: As part of our effort to improve the quality of food our clients receive, CFA has a garden on site. Adult volunteers and school groups maintain the three-season garden.

Case Management:  CFA values the human connection we have with clients and provides them with individual support including information, referrals, counseling and advocacy.

Nutrition, Budgeting and Health: In conjunction with various health departments, local chefs and hospitals and the Englewood Community Chest CFA offers workshops on nutrition, budgeting and health.

Disclaimer: This information was taken directly from the CFA pamphlet and I give them full credit for the information. Please call the above numbers for more information on the programs.