Love is an Open Door

GRACE’s grand reopening took place this Thursday, April 20. The day began with the Central Presbyterian Church Weekday Nursery School’s kindergarten class visiting GRACE for their annual field trip. The children, their teachers, and a parent toured the facility, discussed needs and helping our neighbors, filled a basket of apples for the choice table and made cards for our choice-based distribution that day for the senior residents of 12 Chestnut.

The Happy Helpers at 12 Chestnut held their twice-monthly, choice-based distribution of fresh food. They loaded tables with a rainbow or fruit and vegetables. The residents joined their neighbors for zucchini, oranges, apples, peppers, brussels sprouts, tomatoes, and fresh bread.

During our evening distribution, the Summit High School Baseball team and Atlantic Health joined GRACE to ensure that everyone in our community has access to healthy food for themselves and their families. Everyone received produce boxes, milk, eggs, toilet paper, chicken, and bread. Volunteers guided shoppers through our choice tables laden with a wide selection of produce and prepared food.

Numerous community partners offered their services to our community in tandem with the sharing of food and supplies. KinderSmile offered pediatric dental care, Union County COVID Ambulance Mobile Team had COVID boosters, Union County Division of Social Services for health benefits and support, Union County One Stop Center: for job skills training and employment coordination and the Community Coordinated Child Care of Union County: for affordable childcare. SNAP Ed offered a snack with their nutrition lesson on the importance of adequate fiber.

The generosity of several local businesses makes our offerings more alluring with generous weekly donations. Bread is supplied from Natales, Liv Bakery, and Madison Bagels. Our newest community partner, Whole Foods Madison, provided prepared food, shelf stable items and cleaning products.

Like the cherry on top of a sundae, SQR Pizza provided 200 pizzas which delighted all the families who came to GRACE.

GRACE stands for Giving & Receiving Assistance for our Community's Essentials. GRACE is a nonprofit 501(c)3 volunteer run organization that meets community needs with community resources to enable the good health and success of our vulnerable and underserved neighbors. GRACE distributes food and supplies every Thursday at the Cornog Field House (5 Myrtle Ave, Summit, NJ). Learn more about getting involved with GRACE at www.gracegivingreceiving.org, or contact GRACE at info@gracegivingreceiving.org.

Find us on Facebook and Instagram @gracesummitnj