Bethel Rehoboth Food Pantry & Meal Center receives $500 through Matching Grants Program

Neighbor to Neighbor Network (NTNN) has been working with Bloomfield Boy Scout Troop 22 to collect healthy food for the Bethel Rehoboth Food Pantry & Meal Center. NTNN is a nonprofit that collaborates with Bloomfield Department of Health and Human Services, and the Scouts are chartered by Saint Thomas the Apostle Church. Through mid-April they have collected nearly 40 bags of food using the Partners for Health Foundation’s Fight Hunger the Healthy Way Campaign toolkit.

Next month their efforts will be expanded to include the Bloomfield Girl Scouts. Stephanie De Santi, MSW, LSW, Volunteer Coordinator of NTNN, said, “The Bethel Rehoboth Food Pantry & Meal Center works tirelessly to feed residents in need and we are committed to assisting them in any way that we can. We are thrilled with the results of the Healthy Food Drive and the amount of food that has been collected, and look forward to expanding our efforts to include other community clubs and organizations.”

As a result of their efforts, Bethel Rehoboth will receive $500 from the Partners for Health Foundation’s new Matching Grants Program. Pam Scott, Executive Director of the Foundation, noted, “The Fight Hunger the Healthy Way Campaign was launched last year to inspire action to assist local food banks and soup kitchens in their efforts to provide their clients with healthier foods.  These matching grants are designed to encourage even more activities.”

Healthy food drives are being “matched” at $500 per drive, and fundraising drives are being matched dollar for dollar.  Partners for Health has committed up to $25,000 in matching grant funds.  All activities must benefit local emergency food programs. 

To access the Fight Hunger the Healthy Way Campaign toolkit, visit www.partnersfdn.org.  For more information:  email info@partnersfdn.org, or call (973) 746-6130, Ext. 10.