IFPN Honors Morristown For Food Assistance During Pandemic

Press release from Interfaith Food Pantry Network:

Jan. 5, 2021

Carolyn Lake, Executive Director of the Interfaith Food Pantry Network (IFPN), presented Certificates of Appreciation to Morristown Mayor Timothy Dougherty, Morris Township Mayor Catherine Wilson, Morristown Community Organizer Melissa Spiotta, and Donna Archer and Marlene Lynch, leaders of the F.L.A.G. (Front Line Appreciation Groups) of Morristown and Morris Township, respectively. The groups have played an integral part in meeting the food needs of Morris County residents by conducting community food drives for the IFPN since the onset of the pandemic.

The mayors worked in conjunction with their administrative offices, fire and police departments, and the Office of Emergency Management, as well as Ms. Spiotta and the F.L.A.G. groups. Their Spring efforts collected more than 21,000 pounds of food, which was distributed through the IFPN’s two food pantries and Mobile Partner Network. In August, Lake approached Ms. Spiotta, an IFPN volunteer, and asked if she would be interested in spearheading a new effort to assist with the collection and distribution of holiday food. A second wave of collections was launched, collecting an additional 5,700 pounds of food.

“Many of our regular food donors, especially the local businesses who normally collect food for us, are working remotely and don’t have the ability to conduct their drives. With a dramatic increase in new clients we knew we were going to need the additional help.”, said Lake. She added that the pantry accommodated more than 22,000 household visits and has distributed more than 1.2 million pounds of food in 2020. “We wanted to recognize these groups for the significant role they played in serving the needs of our community during this challenging and unprecedented time. Their efforts have made a significant impact in the lives of thousands of people we have touched this year.”

The IFPN is the largest and most relied upon resource for emergency and supplemental food among Morris County residents in need. IFPN employs innovative approaches to hunger and food security that improve the health and well-being of individuals and families by providing access to food, education, and related resources. The IFPN operates two food pantries and serves 28 partners locations throughout the County through its Mobile Pantry program. For more information or to get involved, visit www.mcifp.org

This press release was produced by Interfaith Food Pantry Network. The views expressed here are the author's own.