Ridgewood Organizations Come Together For Monthly Food Drives

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Two Ridgewood organizations have come together for monthly food drives in the village.

The Woman's Club of Ridgewood and The Rotary Club of Ridgewood A.M. hosted the first of the drives Saturday, with proceeds benefitting the Social Service Association of Ridgewood and Vicinity and Father English Food Pantry.

Two more dates have already been scheduled, with contactless pickup events at The Woman's Club, 215 W. Ridgewood Ave., set for Feb. 27 and March 27.

Here are some items the groups are asking for:

• Canned proteins like ham, spam, tuna or chicken
• Pasta sauce in plastic jars
• Household cleaning products
• Laundry detergent
• Personal care items like shampoo, body wash, lotion and toothpaste
• Breakfast items like oatmeal, pancake mix and granola bars
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Shelf-stable milk and juices in plastic bottles

Other initiatives to address food insecurity are underway across Bergen County.

The Bergen County Food Security Task Force set out to deliver 68,000 pounds of food to pantries across the county by the end of January.

Statistics from the task force show that over 100,000 county residents are food insecure, an increase of 71 percent from pre-pandemic numbers.

With an increase in food insecurity comes an increase in strain on local food pantries.

Task Force data shows a "majority" of food pantries in Bergen County with a 50 percent increase in clients since the start of the pandemic. Some pantries have reported an increase as high as 200 percent. Read more: Bergen County Wants To Deliver 68,000 Pounds Of Food To Pantries

This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources. If you know of a local organization that should be profiled, contact montana.samuels@patch.com

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