Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Submitted by Tom Montrone, president of the CSA
The Scouting for Food Drive, run this past November by the New Providence Cub Scouts (Packs 263, 363 & 99) and Boy Scouts (Troops 1 & 63) and coordinated by the Faith Lutheran Parish, again faced unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic. The drive was forced to shift its focus food donations to grocery gift cards, cash, and food. In 2019, pre-pandemic, over $53,000 of food donations were received. These were sorted by volunteers from Faith Lutheran and other organizations for delivery to the CSA and the Star Fish food bank. With the pandemic prohibiting mass meetings, the process of collecting and sorting a mountain of food products had to be abandoned.
Changing to cash contributions assisted the CSA in its mission to provide temporary financial assistance to New Providence residents in need. The CSA is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1954 by residents of New Providence to help neighbors in financial need. The contributions not only purchased food, but they also helped prevent evictions, cover medical expenses, get school supplies, keep the power on and fill many other needs of our neighbors in distress. Cash contributions were particularly important, since the CSA’s traditional fundraiser, the Pasta Dinner, could not be held last year.
Star Fish, a food pantry located in Plainfield, also benefited from the contributions. The CSA directed half of the Venmo contributions, $3,723, to Star Fish. As a food pantry, Star Fish provides food to over 400 folks in Plainfield every week! They will be able to use the funds to purchase much needed basic staples.
The CSA is totally staffed by volunteers, folks who give back their time and energy to help our neighbors in need. If you want to join the CSA, or want to contribute or are in need or know a resident of New Providence who is in need, please visit our website csanewprovidence.org, or call us at (908) 665-8254.
The CSA Community Service Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is chartered in the State of New Jersey.
You Can Help! Your donation can make the difference to those in our community who are economically vulnerable and who are the most harmed by the pandemic. You can contribute by visiting our website, www.csanewprovidence.organd donating
