Nonprofit Food Pantry To Open, Feed Hungry In Basking Ridge Area

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A nonprofit food pantry to address the needs of families with food insecurity will soon be opening in Basking Ridge.

The Bernards Township Zoning Board of Adjustment voted unanimously to approve the application following an almost 4-hour meeting on Wednesday night despite some concerns from neighbors.

God's Co-Op Pantry would use one bay of an existing two-bay garage at 12 East Allen St. owned by the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church. Currently, the garage is used for storage by the Tree House Child Caring Center.

The pantry was previously housed behind the First Presbyterian Church in Bernardsville but was told in December 2022 by the pastor the space was needed for his growing congregation, said Co-Founder of the God's Co-Op Pantry Evelyn Drake at the meeting.

The group searched for a new home and ended up closing the pantry in July with an urgent need to reopen "immediately" at the new location.

The pantry was initially formed by Drake and a group of women in 2011 who "wanted to create a hands-on local mission and decided that those underserved with food would be an ideal opportunity for us so we formed this food pantry."

Currently, more than 500 people are served by the pantry per month including veterans from the Valley Brook Community in Lyons, residents of Ridge Oak Senior Housing, and members of the general public in Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Liberty Corner, Lyons, Peapack-Gladstone, and Long Hill.

Some neighbors of the area expressed concerns with traffic, light pollution from the parking lot, and safety issues.

"While I recognize and appreciate the need for those less fortunate and commend the church and the volunteers for their good work, but I am sorry to say the use is not a good mix for a residential neighborhood and that the use doesn’t need to be at the detriment of the residential neighborhood," said Michael Sommer, who lives directly next to the parking lot.

"Adjacency to a preschool and a playground on a dark narrow road is not a great situation either," added Sommer.

Margaret Milton who lives next to the property also noted the "very narrow street is not great for two cars to pass by."

Executive Director of the Ridge Oak Senior Housing Bonnie Kelly expressed her support for the pantry on behalf of her community's residents.

"We are home to 360 people. Average age 79. Average income $21,000 a year. Our residents have benefited directly from the generosity and spirit of giving from the God’s Co-op Food Pantry," said Kelly. "We are some of the customers of the food pantry and wanted to come out and show our support for this application."

A volunteer of the pantry Rhonda Pisano also expressed her support for the pantry.

"Hunger is often hidden among families and this organization is made up of a consortium of local churches and local churches made up of people in our community to lend a helping hand," said Pisano.

Ultimately the application was approved with food pick up allowed by the public on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 4 to 6 p.m.

Additionally, the pantry would take measures to buffer any headlight pollution.

To see the full application click here.

For more information on Go'd Co-op Pantry visit brpc.org/mission/gods-co-op-pantry.

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