(PERTH AMBOY) – Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez has partnered with a local nonprofit’s campaign to provide hundreds of meals to Perth Amboy residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In April, the nonprofit Soup Kitchen 411 launched FeedNJ, an initiative to help local soup kitchens meet the increased demand for meals as a result of the pandemic. The campaign connects local restaurants with soup kitchens to provide meals for families in need. Funds collected by the campaign are used to pay restaurants for meals, which helps eateries facing long-term economic uncertainty.
“The unique design of FeedNJ allows the organization to not only help distribute food to residents in need but also provides crucial business to restaurants that are experiencing hardship due to COVID-19,” said Lopez. “It was important to me to identify restaurants in my hometown that could help in this endeavor to support nonprofits that are acting as safety nets throughout the pandemic.”
Lopez and FeedNJ identified local restaurants to provide meals, including Torres Café, Mena International and Hatch 44. Nonprofits like the Salvation Army, Hogar Crea and Renovation House have also partnered with FeedNJ thus far.
The campaign has provided over 520 meals and another 1,210 meals have been scheduled.
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, who alongside Lopez represents the 19th legislative district in the General Assembly, serves as the co-chair of FeedNJ.
“I want to thank Assemblywoman Lopez for being such an instrumental partner in this campaign,” said Speaker Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “When we look around the state, we know Perth Amboy is one of the communities that has been the hardest hit by the COVID-19 outbreak. I am proud that FeedNJ is stepping up to help families during these challenging times.”
Harry Pozycki, Esq., a long-time Perth Amboy resident and founder and current chairman of the Citizens Campaign, has stepped in to help fund the program’s operations in Perth Amboy.
“I and my family are thankful for the Feed NJ program,” said Pozycki. “This program is helping not only our residents but also supporting our local restaurants. We are honored to play a small part of this effort.”
“We need to find creative ways to support vulnerable residents and our small business community, and FeedNJ does both,” said Lopez.
To make a donation, visit https://www.soupkitchen411.com/.