OCTOBER 2020 – UNION COUNTY, NJ -The Grotta Fund for Senior Care, an advisory council fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ, awarded the United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC), a nonprofit social services organization, a grant for $20K to support transport services of food for seniors in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. The Grotta Fund awarded the grant to provide seniors with carts to carry food and freezer blankets to keep food safe while being transported.
UWGUC has a long-standing history of funding food pantries in soup kitchens however; the impact of the pandemic has caused the organization to shift its focus in order to the meet the increased demand of residents in the community facing food insecurity.
The grant period runs between August and December 2020 and UWGUC will utilize the funds awarded by the Grotta Fund to assist over 400 seniors who reside in homes, senior buildings and other households throughout Union County, NJ. United Way of Greater Union County coordinates at least 22 distributions of more than 254 pallets of food. The organization receives a weekly donation of 12-16 pallets of food from its partnership with Amazon Logistics. The program is administered with the support of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, councilmembers, the cities of Linden, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Hillside, faith-based organizations and 20 local non-profit organizations who identifies communities in need and provide volunteers to distribute, pick up and/or deliver food.
Since the pandemic began in March 2020, United Way of Greater Union County collaborates with the Union County Department of Economic Development, law enforcement, the Department of Public Works, faith-based organizations, local non-profit agencies and volunteers to serve on average, 900 people per week in weekly food distributions. With the sharp increase in unemployment, the organization also has distributed more than $350K to individuals and families financially impacted by COVID 19.
About The Grotta Fund for Senior Care
The Grotta Fund for Senior Care, an advisory council fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ, has a rich 100-year history of commitment to older adults in northern NJ. The Grotta Fund makes grants to organizations that improve the lives of older adults and their families. Grants are awarded to 501c3 agencies, religious institutions, and municipalities benefiting older adults who reside in Essex, Union, Morris, Sussex, and eastern Somerset counties.
About United Way of Greater Union County
United Way of Greater Union County fights for the health, education, financial stability and family strengthening of every person in Union County, NJ. We provide critical resources to children and families supporting 39 nonprofit organizations. For nearly a century, United Way of Greater Union County has proven to be a pre-eminent community based leader, partner and investment choice in these communities. Learn more at www.uwguc.org.
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