Thomas Eastwick, President of Eastwick College, Donates $5000 to Jewish Family Service of Bergen and N. Hudson for its Meals on Wheels Program

TEANECK, N.J., March 2, 2015 -- Thomas Eastwick, founder and president of Eastwick College, has donated $5000 to Jewish Family Service of Bergen and North Hudson (JFS) to support the non-profit’s Meals on Wheels program. Eastwick, an active member of the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce, presented the check at the chamber’s holiday event in December.

Eastwick was honored as the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Humanitarian of the Year last September. As is the custom for the chamber’s humanitarian honorees, Eastwick was given the proceeds of the chamber’s annual charity golf outing—$18,000—to disburse as he desired. Eastwick expanded the fund by asking attendees at the golf outing awards dinner to make an additional contribution as well as personally adding to the fund himself. The final amount, $25,000 was divided among five non-profits that are members of the chamber, whose mission is to feed the hungry within the community. JFS was among the non-profit recipients of the charitable donation.

“So many people deal with food insecurity on a daily basis, or have become too infirm to shop and cook for themselves and need the kind of help that Kosher Meals on Wheels provides. Jewish Family Service is a real lifeline for its clients and I’m delighted to help the organization continue its important work,” said Eastwick.

Eastwick is president and founder of Eastwick College and a community philanthropist who also runs the Eastwick Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization that offers college scholarships, funds various students’ activities, and supports a not-for-profit preschool in Negril, Jamaica. Eastwick Education operates four schools in Nutley, Hackensack, Ho-Ho-Kus and Ramsey, N.J.

“We recognize and greatly appreciate that rather than apply the funds to his foundation, Mr. Eastwick chose instead to support our mission and that of our fellow local non-profits,” said Susan Greenbaum, executive director of JFS. “This generous donation will go far in helping us combat hunger among our most vulnerable citizens.”

Last year, the JFS Meals on Wheels program delivered more than 28,000 nutritious meals to homebound elderly and disabled individuals of all races and religions in Bergen and north Hudson counties. Greenbaum added that the need for its Meals on Wheels program grows exponentially every year.

To support the growing need for nutritious meals as well as its community food pantry, JFS will hold its fifth annual Wheels for Meals – Ride to Fight Hunger on June 14 in Rockleigh. The family-friendly event features a range of cycling routes for riders of all abilities, a fun walk, music, prizes and a vendor fair. Registration is now open for individual riders or teams; to sign up, to become a corporate sponsor or to donate, visit www.ridetofighthunger.org. For more information about Jewish Family Service of Bergen and North Hudson, visit www.jfsbergen.org.

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About Jewish Family Service
For over 60 years, the mission of Jewish Family Service has been to strengthen and preserve the well-being of individuals and families, and to help them effectively meet the challenges and changes through life. The non-profit organization fulfills its mission by providing mental health services, a range of senior care services (including kosher meals on wheels, friendly visitors, and Holocaust survivor support), support groups for various constituencies, emergency aid and much more. For more information visit www.jfsbergen.org.

About Wheels for Meals
Now in its fifth year, this ride/walk fundraiser was conceived by then 16-year-old David Feuerstein as a way to give back to the community. The event raises critical funds to fight hunger in Bergen County, with proceeds supporting the JFS Meals on Wheels program and its food pantry. The event draws riders, sponsors, vendors and spectators from throughout Bergen and neighboring Rockland County. Details and registration information are at www.RidetoFightHunger.org.