Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity (MEND), which serves more than 47,000 people in Essex County per month through its network of food pantries and mobile food programs, reports that it will lose $150,000 in federal Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) funds this fall — funding that has supported fresh food deliveries to homebound seniors, families with young children, and people with disabilities.
Those cuts will be exacerbated by looming cuts to SNAP and Medicaid and housing programs — “changes that could push even more families to seek food assistance.”
The announcement came in a recent email from MEND Executive Director Robin Peacock, who added, “Food insecurity is rising again, hitting Black and Latino families hardest, according to Feeding America’s latest Map the Meal Gap report.”
Peacock then made a plea for support from community members.
“Because of you, MEND is still showing up — with monthly mobile markets, supplemental fresh food for pantries, and doorstep deliveries for neighbors in under-resourced communities. But as demand grows and safety nets shrink, we can’t keep up without your help.”
Donations can be made by visiting the MEND website, or mailing a check to: MEND, PO Box 1304, Maplewood, NJ 07040.
In Maplewood and South Orange, MEND regularly provides supplemental produce and eggs to food pantries at Our Lady of Sorrows, St Joe’s, the Maplewood Community Fridge and Cougar Cares.
This MEND guest at a recent mobile market proudly shared how she cooks potatoes with her mom.
Peacock also shared the following message:
Because of you, MEND has been able to expand access to fresh, nourishing food for families across Essex County — with compassion, creativity, and action.
So, when caring supporters like you ask, “How are things going?” — it means a lot. It shows that you’re not just watching from the sidelines. You’re part of the solution.
Here’s the truth: things are tough right now.
“I recently spoke with a mother who was thinking about applying for SNAP but ultimately decided not to. She was worried about how her personal information might be used and whether changing policies could put her immigration status at risk.
Instead, she feels safer turning to trusted local food pantries for support. Like many families I work with, she’s incredibly grateful that organizations like MEND are here when government programs feel uncertain or out of reach.“
– Dalili Gonzalez, MEND Community Resource Specialist
Recent data from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap 2024 report confirms what we see every day — food insecurity is rising in our community. In 2023, 14% of Essex County residents faced food insecurity, climbing for the third year in a row and surpassing pandemic rates. And the burden is not shared equally. 29% of Black residents and 25% of Latino residents experienced hunger last year, compared to 8% of white residents.
And just as the need grows, critical federal funding is shrinking. In October, due to Federal funding cuts, MEND will lose $150,000 in Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) funds, which had supported fresh food deliveries to homebound seniors, families with young children, and people with disabilities. We’re also bracing for the ripple effects of proposed cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and housing programs — changes that could push even more families to seek food assistance.
It’s a tough reality. And, thanks to your past support, MEND is continuing to implement innovative programming to respond to growing community needs.
But we can’t do it alone. Will you consider donating today?
Your mid-year gift will immediately increase fresh food access and improve the health of your neighbors, through home deliveries, supplemental pantry support, and mobile markets:
- $250 provides a week’s worth of fresh food to 10 households;
- $500 supplies one week of fresh produce from a local New Jersey farm;
- $1,000 stocks one MEND pantry with fresh food for a full month;
- $2,250 keeps MEND’s delivery trucks running for a month, ensuring reliable distribution;
- $5,000 funds two mobile markets in communities facing the greatest barriers to fresh food access.
Please visit mendnj.org/donate to make a gift online or return your donation by check in the enclosed reply envelope.
This isn’t a future crisis. It’s happening right now. Let’s meet this moment, together, with courage and compassion.
With gratitude,
Robin Peacock
Executive Director, MEND
P.S. – Your continued partnership means we’ll keep showing up — for equity, for health, and for every neighbor who deserves access to the fresh, nourishing food they need to thrive.