ATLANTIC CITY - Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties Oct. 15 officially launched its mobile food pantry, a new initiative designed to bring hearty, nutritious food directly to people living in Atlantic City. With a mission to minimize hunger and increase food accessibility, the mobile food pantry distributes fresh produce, vegetables, dairy, non-perishable items, meats, poultry, and protein-rich foods to individuals and families in need.
The mobile food pantry is a 26-foot truck equipped with a refrigerator, freezer and shelves to support weekly food distributions. Funded by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the mobile pantry floorplan was designed to give guests the ability to make selections themselves as part of the agency’s choice food model.
The JFS mobile food pantry visits community partner locations including Atlantic Cape Community College, Oceanside Family Success Centers, South Jersey Family Medical Center, Best of Life, Spanish Community Center, and JFS Atlantic City office. On average, JFS welcomes up to 100 individuals per distribution.
“The new mobile food pantry access provides stronger food security in Atlantic City while offering essential wraparound services,” JFS CEO Andrea Steinberg said in a release. “At JFS, we are committed to strengthening access to food and basic essentials in our community by meeting people where they are and minimizing barriers in the community.”
JFS/Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa presented a $100,000 check to Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties Oct. 15 to support the agency’s mobile pantry and increase food accessibility to Atlantic City residents.JFS celebrated the food truck ribbon cutting at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, where property leaders presented the agency with a $100,000 donation and 2,000 toiletry kits. Nearly 100 attendees joined to celebrate the occasion and JFS thanked its supporters – The Community FoodBank of Southern New Jersey, The Morgan Families, Sheila & Alan Friedman, and Sharon & Ron Lewkowitz, who pledged financial support to ensure shelves remain stocked. Throughout the event, JFS introduced the food security team, shared client stories and goals for expanded access.
“We were thrilled at the opportunity to partner with Jewish Family Service, an organization that plays such a vital role in supporting our community,” Borgata President and COO Niklas Rytterstrom said. “It was an honor to present JFS with a $100,000 contribution on behalf of Borgata to support their important work in addressing food insecurity.”
In addition to the mobile pantry distributions, JFS’ on-site pantry in Margate is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Using a choice model system, JFS personalizes the food shopping experience using an online platform which tracks real time inventory. This program is designed to give clients greater autonomy by creating a profile, indicate dietary restrictions, list family members they are shopping for, and browse available inventory. They can select a convenient pick-up day, time, and track prior orders. The client centered system streamlines the process and also reduces potential waste by providing foods that clients enjoy and need.
“The JFS mobile food pantry is a welcome addition to the landscape of community-led initiatives in New Jersey in that it makes dignified access to nourishing food more readily available alongside personalized navigator support so local neighbors can determine for themselves the ways in which they want to eat healthier, live healthier and thrive,” said Jemmell’z Washington-Rock, program manager for the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate. “The Atlantic City community knows its own strengths and assets, including its people. This mobile unit and the multisector partnerships that put this vehicle on the road, offer families and individuals a solution to stretch their household budgets further, and overcome transportation and other everyday barriers to health. The support for Atlantic City through our colleagues at NJEDA and investments to strengthen our statewide charitable food system for when people need it most, are two examples of how New Jersey continues to prioritize building food security for everyone, regardless of which community they call home.”
To sustain this vital mobile pantry service, JFS has launched a Food Security campaign to raise $250,000 to ensure shelves remain stocked and families continue to have reliable access to healthy food.
For more information or to support, contact Senior Director of Communications & Donor Relations Beth Joseph at [email protected] or 609-822-7409.
