Brick Awards CDBG Grants To Help Groups Aid Community

BRICK, NJ — Back in 200, the local Meals on Wheels program had a waiting list of homebound people who were seeking assistance with food and support.

Jim Sigurdson, executive director of Community Services Inc. of Ocean County/Meals on Wheels said Brick officials asked him in 2000 what the program needed, and they told him they needed financial assistance.

The mayor and council approved funding Community Development Block Grant funding for to help with the program.

"Every single year I've had the privilege of accepting this support from the town," Sigurdson said. Meals on Wheels has served more than 31,000 meals to 308 seniors in Brick Township since then. The program also offers nutrition education, companionship and more.

"We are more than simply a meal," Sigurdson said. "We are helping citizens of Brick live healthier and happier lives."

Sigurdson accepted a check for $7,000 for Meals on Wheels, one of a dozen organizations that received CDBG grants Tuesday night.

Mayor John G. Ducey and the township presented checks totalling $44,000 from funding the Township receives as part of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Public Services Program..

The CDBG program has been providing communities with these funds since it began in 1974.

"I cannot understate the importance of the organizations that we are awarding these funds to tonight. These groups are in the community every day making a difference in people’s lives," Ducey said.

Receiving grants were:

Church of the Epiphany, St. Vincent DePaul Society, $8,000

Volunteers provide counseling to those in need to manage housing expenses and provide financial assistance to cover food, clothing, utilities and rent. For more information please call 732-458-0220.

Community Services Inc. of Ocean County/Meals on Wheels, $7,000

Through its Meals on Wheels program, Community Services Inc. provides nutritious meals to homebound elderly in their own homes. The program also serves meals daily to seniors at the Brick Township Senior Center on Adamston Road. For more information, please call 732-367-1400 or the Brick Senior Center at 732-920-8686.

Church of the Visitation, $3,200

The Church of the Visitation on Mantoloking Road hosts a community lunch on the third Wednesday of each month. Lunches are free and available from 12pm-1pm. For more information call 732-255-2835.

"Not only do we feed the body, but we also feed the mind and soul as well," said Marilyn Lago with the community lunch program at Visitation Church, which serves almost 3,000 people.

CONTACT of Ocean and Monmouth Counties, $3,200

CONTACT of Ocean & Monmouth Counties is a nonprofit, charitable organization that provides trained telephone listeners who respond to human needs 24 hours a day. They offer free confidential crisis intervention, information on available resources and referral to community services. For more information call 732-240-6104. Their crisis hotline can be reached at 732-240-6100 or 609-693-5834.

Dottie’s House, $3,200

Dottie’s House provides transitional housing for victims of domestic violence and their children. These grant funds will help offset the operating costs for the transitional housing facility. They may be reached at 732-295-7380.

Interfaith Hospitality Network of Ocean County, $3,200

There are times when families face becoming homeless because of personal, financial or medical reasons. Interfaith Homeless Assistance provides a safety net program for Brick Township residents who face becoming homeless. They may be reached at 732-736-1550.

Ocean’s Harbor House, $3,200

Ocean’s Harbor House provides free short-term shelter and crisis intervention for male and female youth ages 10-17. Any youth who is homeless, has runaway, been thrown away or abused, or is otherwise in need of immediate intervention may find help 24 hours a day at this safe haven. Their Shelter Services 24 Hours/Day Hotline is 732-929-0660 and their Outreach Center phone number is 732-929-0096.

Providence House, $3,200

A division of Catholic Charities, Providence House provides a wide variety of services related to preventing domestic violence and assisting its victims. For many years, the Township has worked with Providence House to fight domestic violence in our community. Providence House may be reached at 732-350-2120.

The Arc, Ocean County Chapter, $3,200

The Arc, Ocean County Chapter advocates for, provides supports and empowers children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families, ensuring they are accepted and valued as citizens of our community. The Arc does this through vocational, recreational, family support, residential, transportation and primary medical care programs. Their phone number is 732-363-3335 ext. 115.

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, $3,000

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey is a non-profit interfaith organization that provides volunteers to assist frail elderly with simple daily tasks enabling them to live, with dignity, where they are most comfortable – in their own homes. And there is never a charge for help provided! Their phone number is 732-505-2273.

Jersey Shore Council Boy Scouts of America, $3,000

Jersey Shore Council, Boy Scouts of America, headquartered in Toms River, serves more than 6,000 young people in four Jersey Shore counties: Atlantic, Ocean, Southeast Burlington and Ocean City in Cape May County. It is among the largest youth serving organizations in the state of New Jersey led by approximately 2,000 volunteers. For more information call 732-349-1037.

STEPS, $1,000

STEPS (Solutions to End Poverty Soon) works to solve the problems of poverty including lack of affordable housing, food instability, access to health care and decent wages. For more information call 732-367-1640.

Brick Township’s CDBG Program is administered by the Township’s Land Use Office and Township Planner Tara Paxton. Groups wanting more information on how to apply for CDBG funding from the township can call 732-262-1039.

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Photo via Brick Township Council