(above) GRACE, has found a new home at the Cornog Field House at Memorial Field in Summit. GRACE stands for Giving and Receiving Assistance for Our Community’s Essentials.
JLS Grace Initiative New Location
The Junior League of Summit is thrilled to announce that its signature community outreach project, GRACE, has found a new home at the Cornog Field House at Memorial Field in Summit. GRACE, which stands for Giving and Receiving Assistance for Our Community’s Essentials was founded in 2016 by member and Summit local, Amanda Parrish Block. The program was launched following research into the issue of food insecurity and the revelation that one in six Summit public school students is lacking access to fresh, nutritious foods. Now in its third year at Christ Church, GRACE’s Refrigerator has grown from serving 20 families to a record-breaking 107 this summer.
Under the banner of the Junior League of Summit, GRACE joined forces this spring with Summit’s Department of Community Programs to open GRACE’s Refrigerator’s second location at the newly renovated Recreation Center. That effort now serves 20 households each week.
While keeping up with sufficient food and household necessities to cover the families we serve, GRACE has expanded its programs to support Summit’s working poor to include music and visual arts classes, fitness experiences, and medical screenings and health education.
“To sustain our growth and to meet upcoming plans, the time has come to move to a larger space,” says Ms. Block. “We will maintain our relationship with Christ Church. We are deeply grateful for the gift of Christ Church’s community and beautiful facility.” GRACE will retain use of one of our refrigerators there in order to serve the population who cannot attendTuesday evening distribution for serious and valid reasons.
As of October 8, GRACE and the Department of Community Programs will deepen its collaboration at GRACE’s first Tuesday evening distribution of necessities and community outreach in its new space at Cornog Field House.
Our focus and commitment to serve our community’s neediest and most vulnerable will be well met in this space. We will work together to marshal resources and the community‘s collective energy and attention to meet the basic needs that exist in Summit’s underserved households.
We believe that a thriving community starts with access to life’s necessities for all its residents. Neighbors take care of neighbors. GRACE enables our community to meet local needs with local support. We rely on the efforts of volunteers and donations so that we may continue to provide the essentials. Healthful food, seasonally appropriate gear, household supplies, and strong interpersonal connections lay the foundation for our strong and vibrant community and all its members.
GRACE’s Refrigerator is open weekly and offers nutrient-dense produce, dairy, and prepared food which is sourced from the Summit Farmers Market, local businesses, and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.
The Junior League of Summit is a nonprofit, charitable, and educational organization of women who are committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. For more information about the Junior League of Summit or to inquire about becoming a member, please visit the website at jlsummit.org or contact the office at 908-273-7349. Those interested in donating to the League, please visithttps://www.jlsummit.org/?nd=donate_summary.
