GRACE Brings Community Together for Neighbors
More than 150 community members and volunteers came togetheron October 1st, to support An Evening with GRACE to Benefit Our Neighbors In Need, honoring some of Summit’s most giving community members and bringing support of more than $100,000 to continue the mission of GRACE in Summit, NJ.
New friends and friends from the start were invited to #fallforgrace, as they enjoyed a signature cocktail, the “Gold & Delicious” designed by Bobby Frascella, at Summit House, fresh pastries from award-winning pastry Chef Joe Murphy from Bakehouse, and delicious food featuring fresh local flavors. Shaking up the dance floor, live music was provided by Roses In Stereo. While an energetic paddle raise led by Summit’s own David Guida reached beyond expectations and successfully helped GRACE raise the funds to continue programming and secure support that guarantees: our neighbors have winter coats for the cold weather season, breakfast in our schools for all students who find themselves in need of an extra hand, diapers, wipes and formula for our littlest neighbors, Thanksgiving pies for families to gather together and find joy during the holidays, and groceries for our 12 Chestnut seniors. Two party attendees raised their paddle to support a full week of distribution sponsorship, and GRACE thanks them for raising to the occasion, as together we #fallforgrace. You too can support GRACE by going to gracegivingreceiving.org/donate and may consider the $6,000 it takes to sponsor a week of distribution.
Founder of GRACE, Amanda Parrish Block, shared that “GRACE folds each corner of the community together to strengthen the whole. Every week we come together to support our neighbors. We are so grateful for our most generous neighbors who gathered on this special night. Their support allows GRACE to continue to grow.”
GRACE thanks the many volunteers, sponsors, supporters and neighbors who donated and joined An Evening with GRACE. Together our community gathered, celebrated and honored those who have grown GRACE into a sustainable community resource. Top level event sponsors include Gala level sponsor MICRO, and Golden Delicious level sponsors Delia Hamlet & Family, Richard & Kayla Pechter, and CSL Seqirus. You can enjoy a peek at all the event sponsors and advertisers in the digital event journal.
“It was a beautiful evening celebrating all the good that GRACE is doing in our community. Thank you to our dedicated event committee who made this a night to remember. We are so grateful for our supporters; everyone that sponsored, purchased tickets, donated and raised a paddle. We are incredibly lucky to live in such a giving community,” shared event chairperson Christine Semcer.
It is Summit’s most giving neighbors who have supported GRACE since its inception in 2016. An Evening with GRACE raised a toast in honor of: the City of Summit Department of Community Programs, Christ Churches own Rev. Dr. Charles T. Rush, the Junior League of Summit, Summit Downtown Inc., and Camile Conde who shared a touching story of how GRACE supports everyone. GRACE wouldn’t be here without their support and continued partnerships.
Proceeds from An Evening with GRACE will continue to support the mission and demand of more than 500 families who come to GRACE every week for the food and essentials they need to be happy, healthy and secure. GRACE distributes more than 16,000 pounds of food every week, and after the generous in-kind donations received from local businesses, support organizations and friends, GRACE must spend an additional $6,000 to provide the necessary supplies to sustain current demand. We have never closed and never missed a week for any reason, including snow, power outages, nor’easters or COVID.
About GRACE
Since 2016 GRACE has been Giving & Receiving Assistance for our Community’s Essentials. As a volunteer run 501(c)3 non-profit organization, GRACE meets community needs with community resources to enable the good health and success of our vulnerable and underserved neighbors by distributing culturally relevant fresh food and supplies, including milk, bread, eggs and produce, toilet paper, diapers and wipes, and period products every Thursday evening in Summit, NJ, while providing access and referrals to community support services. GRACE now serves more than 500 local families every week. According to weekly distribution demand at GRACE, the number of neighbors facing food and financial insecurity in our area has grown 835% since GRACE’s inception in 2016. With inflation we face greater demand from people who are working poor, Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. Our neighbors are facing more needs to sustain health, happiness and security. Even while our egg prices have risen 300% and milk prices have increased 15% since March 2020, we continue to provide. We meet community demand with community resources. For more information, visit gracegivingreceiving.org, or email Amanda Parrish Block at info@gracegivingreceiving.org.
