Free Food And Essentials At The Summit Recreation Center

SUMMIT, NJ - The new GRACE refrigerator is open at the newly renovated Summit Recreation Center for anyone in need.

GRACE (Giving and Receiving Assistance for Our Community's Essentials) was started by Summit native and mother Amanda Parrish Block. Parrish Block happened to be attending a Junior League of Summit meeting when she heard them reporting that "15 percent of all enrolled students in the Summit Schools are eligible for free or reduced price lunch."

When Parrish Block heard about the needs in Summit, she created GRACE — an initiative of the Junior League of Summit — in September 2016, which stands for Giving and Receiving Assistance for Our Community's Essentials. And is also named after Parrish Block's daughter.

"22 percent of people in the City of Summit are working poor, meaning they are not able to pay all of their bills every month," Parrish Block said at the time. "In addition many are food insecure where they can't afford to buy sufficient nutritious food at all or enough food for the month."

It first began with GRACE's refrigerator, then Parrish Block started GRACE's Closet where locals could anonymously request sneakers or winter gear or other clothing from local churches. Finally, GRACE's Backpack was launched with the YMCA, the United Way, the Community Food Bank and the Junior League of Summit.

The entire GRACE program is anonymous and welcomes anyone who needs it.

"Some people only receive temporary help due to a hardship and it's not always the people you think," Parrish Block said. "It makes it especially heart wrenching when you think you are alone and in need."

This post contains reporting by Alexis Tarrazi.

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