Burlington Review

Burlington County is providing additional support in the fight against hunger and food insecurity. The Burlington County Commissioners announced the first six awards from the County’s new $1 million grant program to assist food programs.

The initial six grants total more than $290,000 and were revealed by the Commissioners on Thursday during a visit to the Virtua Eat Well Food Farmacy, which is receiving a $75,000 grant from Burlington County’s Grants for Food Banks and Food Pantries program.

“In 2020, more than 31,000 Burlington County residents were considered food insecure because they lived in households without consistent access to adequate, healthy foods,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “These grants will help support those organizations on the front lines in the fight against hunger and food insecurity. Aiding them will help improve access to healthy foods throughout our county and ensure those residents who need assistance can obtain the nutrition they and their families need.”

The Virtua Eat Well Food Farmacy has locations in Virtua Mount Holly Hospital as well as in the Virtua Health & Wellness Center in Camden. The program enrolls Virtua patients with diet-impacted health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease into a free six-month program that includes nutrition education, social services support, and access to fresh produce and nutrient-rich, shelf-stable groceries.

In 2023, the Virtua program helped support 782 patients from Burlington County.

“Access to fresh, nutritious, and affordable food is fundamental to good health. However, many local individuals and families struggle with this basic human need. This generous grant will go a long way toward stocking the shelves of our Eat Well Food Farmacy inside Virtua Mount Holly Hospital,” said Stephanie Fendrick, executive vice president and chief strategy officer for Virtua Health. “All of us at Virtua Health are extremely grateful to the Burlington County Commissioners for this important grant which will help us enhance many more people’s wellness and well-being.”

In addition to Virtua’s Eat Well Food Farmacy, five additional grants were approved for:

- Burlington Township Food Pantry: $17,790 to support purchasing a new indoor cooler.

- Jewish Family and Children’s Services: $25,000 to support operations of its food pantry serving Burlington County residents.

- Food Bank of South Jersey: $75,000 to support Hope Mobile food pantries and school pantries serving Burlington County residents.

- Prince of Peace Lutheran Church: $22,500 for community food pantry and summer kids program.

- Oaks Integrated Care: $75,000 for its Mount Holly food pantry.

"Each of these organizations is helping create a critical safety net for vulnerable Burlington County residents in need,” said Hopson. “Many of these nonprofits are facing financial challenges due to higher costs for food and supplies that are straining family budgets. This funding will help keep their shelves stocked so they can continue serving those in need.”

The Burlington County Grants for Food Banks and Food Pantries Grants program was launched by the Commissioners this spring in response to continuing needs for food assistance.

All nonprofits providing food assistance to Burlington County residents are eligible to apply for grants up to $75,000 until funding is exhausted.

A total of $1 million in federal aid received from the American Rescue Plan Act was appropriated for this program. Grants can be used to purchase or distribute food or acquire or upgrade equipment such as stoves, freezers, coolers or shelving. Applications are reviewed by CGP&H.

Funding remains available. Nonprofits interested in applying can request an application by emailing BurlCoFood@cgph.net or calling 609-795-2503.

The grants represent an expansion of Burlington County’s food assistance efforts that began early 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic onset. In response to the crisis,the county partnered with the Food Bank of South Jersey holding monthly distribution events at Emergency Services Training Center Westampton.

During these events volunteers distributed free boxes containing shelf-stable groceries,fresh produce,frozen meals,dairy products,family prepared children’s meals households needing assistance also offered SNAP applications information other programs

Close approximately 48k individuals received during over forty distribution events held

State Senator Troy Singleton Assemblywoman Andrea Katz applauded ongoing efforts fight insecurity

"It unacceptable any child adult senior hungry choose between adequate nutritious other necessities," Singleton "I’m proud see home take leadership role step deliver kind needed eradicate give all access healthy nutritious foods"

“New Jersey continues make significant progress fight initiatives like one” added Katz “These soup kitchens health systems turn when most This allow continue good work deliver meaningful help”