700 Coats, 700 Stories, GRACE Supports Neighbors in Need

• A middle schooler finally gets to wear the cool jacket with the faux fur hood.
• A dad who can stay warm when his work changes to snow removal in the winter from landscaping in the summer.
• A pregnant mom can plan ahead and wear a warm coat that has plenty of room for her soon-to-be big belly.

There are over 700 individual stories to tell about community members who visited the GRACE coat distribution, held last month at The Summit Community Center. At our 9th Annual Coat Boutique,veach individual received a warm new coat with winter accessories, like gloves (even ones for texting!) and hats.

“Thanks to all our donors who supplied us with coats; thanks to our volunteers who helped us set up, store, and move the coats,” GRACE Board Member Ilyse DiChiara shared. While GRACE members were the end beneficiaries of the drive, our volunteers loved the opportunity to help. Lead volunteer, Anita Tung, was just one of the dozens of local residents who helped find “that perfect coat” for the GRACE recipients. “It is thanks to our village that everyone will stay warm this winter,” DiChiara said. “While lines were “out the door,” everyone who wanted and needed a new coat received one; this is thanks to our amazing network of donors and volunteers that we can offer events like this. GRACE continues to serve where there is a need. This is why GRACE has never missed a week of distribution since its inception in 2016,” shared GRACE founder, Amanda Parrish Block. GRACE starts with the philosophy that our community’s resources can fill any need in our community.

In addition to the coat drive, GRACE recently held a Halloween costume drive, ensuring every child could be a part of their school celebrations and community events.

GRACE meets community needs with community resources to enable the good health and success of our vulnerable and underserved neighbors by providing a weekly distribution of culturally relevant fresh food and supplies, including milk, bread, eggs and produce, toilet paper, diapers and wipes, period products and laundry detergent. GRACE also provides direct access and referrals to stabilizing support services at every distribution.

@GRACESummitNJ

About GRACE

Since 2016 GRACE has been Giving & Receiving Assistance for our Community’s Essentials. As a volunteer run 501(c)3 non-profit organization, GRACE meets community demand with community resources. For more information, visit www.gracegivingreceiving.org, or email info@gracegivingreceiving.org.

Story written by Melanie Wilson.