Hunger in NJ - The Facts

A landmark study of Hunger in NJ from Feeding America shows that 12.7% of NJ's population suffers from food insecurity (defined by the USDA as a lack of access at times to enough food for an active healthy lifestyle for all household members and limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods). An astounding 49% of these individuals do not qualify for SNAP (Food Stamps) and must rely on food assistance programs (like the InterFaith Food Pantry). They need better wages and employment opportunities to help them meet their basic needs. Essex County is one of the 5 counties in NJ with the highest food insecurity.

Source:http://www.njfoodbank.org/media/banknotes/ (Spring 2011 edition)

Newark Connection update

Did you know that five members of TSTI are working with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, mostly paired with students at the South 17th Street School? Rachel Rothman has requested a second “little” for next year, and she (and her daughters) hope that they can “upgrade” the relationship with her current "little" next year to community based. TSTI'S involvement with Big Brothers/Big Sisters is part of our attempt to reach out to our neighbors in Newark as a result of the inspiration we drew from Corey Booker’s speech at TSTI.

On May 6, volunteers at the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges - including our own Janet Schwamm and Cyndy Wyatt, participated in the 8th Annual Essex County Walk to Fight Hunger. Read more about the walk here: http://southorange.patch.com/articles/about-town-residents-walked-to-fight-hunger#photo-6069435

More good works from TSTI members

TSTI members were out in force on the social action front this week. Ten of our members helped ensured that the week was a little easier for 60 clients of the Interfaith Food Pantry. Those clients first wait for referrals from social service agencies to the Pantry, and then wait again as we sort groceries, bag donated bread, cake and sweet treats, and set up and distribute bags of canned goods that will help them stretch their food supplies.

The numbers of people seeking help from the Pantry keep growing, which means we need an ever increasing amount of canned goods. The cans you bring to TSTI for the pantry mean not seem like much to you, but they are so needed by our neighbors. Please remember to bring a can each time you come to TSTI.

As work on the West Orange Habitat home continues, TSTI members continue to do their part. Julie Alter, Ruth Richards, Nancy Distel, Bennett Lieber and Dennis Percher worked on caulking and building the house's porch this past Saturday. What a great way to spend a Saturday!