(above, l-r) Catholic Charities staff including John Westervelt, Chief Executive Officer, Sharon Reilly-Tobin, Director of Volunteer Services, John Blomquist, Esq. General Counsel & Chief Administrator of Human Resources, and, Elizabeth McClendon, Associate Executive Director
Knights of Columbus Supports Food Pantries Struggling Due to COVID-19 with Generous Donation to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark
On Thursday, April 9, 2020, the Knights of Columbus donated $50,000 to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark, one in a series of donations to food banks and food distribution programs totaling $1 million across 18 U.S. cities, part of their Order’s efforts to help those in need during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
One of New Jersey’s oldest and largest social service agencies, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark helps over 60,000 individuals and families each year to improve the quality of their lives and enhance their self-worth and dignity. The donation from the Knights of Columbus will be used to purchase food to be distributed to Catholic Charities’ Emergency Food and Nutrition Network, a program that coordinates the bulk food collection and distribution through a network of 80 volunteer-run food pantries and shelters throughout the Archdiocese. This donation comes at a vital time, as many of the food pantries are reporting an increase in demand. With these funds, Catholic Charities will be able to purchase food in bulk and distribute the packages to food pantries throughout the Archdiocese of Newark, and will provide over 8,600 households with approximately 36,000 meals.
According to John Westervelt, Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities, “We are grateful to the Knights of Columbus for this most generous donation. As the days go by, more and more families are going without pay. We anticipate that the demand at food pantries will only keep increasing, and from people who might never have sought out help from a food pantry before. This donation is a true blessing for people in need during the coronavirus pandemic.”
About Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark
Tracing its roots to 1903, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark is a not-for-profit social service agency of the Roman Catholic Church within the Archdiocese of Newark. As one of New Jersey’s oldest and largest agencies, Catholic Charities serves over 60,000 individuals and families each year in over 87 programs. Catholic Charities as a ministry of the Archdiocese of Newark participates in the Church’s social mission by recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of all people and responding with sincere Christian compassion to the corporeal needs of the poor and marginalized. The service of Catholic Charities is inspired by faith in Jesus Christ, Sacred Scripture, and the continuing exposition of Catholic social teaching. Through these activities, Catholic Charities strives to assist individuals in need, strengthen families, and provide those it serves with an experience of God’s mercy. Catholic Charities’ programs provide shelters for the homeless, food to the impoverished; care for the elderly and mentally ill, and education to children with developmental disabilities. Catholic Charities is a concrete illustration of the Church’s commitment to ease suffering and bring social justice and hope to all, without regard to religion, race or culture. Last year, the Emergency Food and Nutrition Network provided over 164,000 pounds of food to over 27,000 households.
For more information about Catholic Charities or naming opportunities, please contact Catholic Charities at (973) 596-4100, or visit our website at www.ccannj.org for more information.
