Burlington County is entering into another partnership to make sure vulnerable residents don’t go hungry.
The County Commissioners approved a new partnership between the Burlington County Department of Human Services’ Office on Aging and the Food Bank of South Jersey and Zallie Community Foundation. Under the agreement, the Office on Aging will use one of its Meals on Wheels vehicles and drivers to assist the two nonprofit organizations with delivering groceries to homebound seniors enrolled in a food assistance program.
These deliveries will not impact the County’s Meals on Wheels operations or expenses. Last year, the County’s Meals on Wheels program delivered more than 120,000 meals to homebound residents throughout the county.
“Burlington County has made fighting hunger and food insecurity a top priority and organizations like the Food Bank of South Jersey and Zallie Community Foundation are important partners,” said Commissioner Director Dr. Felicia Hopson, the liaison to the Department of Human Services. “Using a Meals on Wheels driver and vehicle to deliver groceries to homebound seniors is a simple action the County can take, but it will help these organizations continue to carry out their missions and assist our most vulnerable.”
The groceries are provided by the Food Bank of South Jersey and Zallie Community Foundation as part of the Food Bank’s Feel Good with Food program to provide customized outreach and assistance to homebound adults who need nutritional support. Meals on Wheels will also help identify clients to receive assistance.
“At a time when food banks across the nation are being strained by rising need and federal funding cuts, Burlington County is stepping up to help ensure vulnerable homebound seniors don’t fall through the cracks,” said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel. “It’s unacceptable for Burlington County residents to go hungry, regardless of their circumstances. Partnering with the Food Bank and Zallie’s will help those organizations reach more people in need.”
Homebound residents facing hardships can contact the Food Bank of South Jersey at 856-662-4884 or email info@foodbanksj.org for more information.
The new partnership is the latest action taken by the County to assist food insecure families. Last summer, the Commissioners approved making financial assistance available to food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens operating in Burlington County. More than $423,000 in grants were awarded through the program, including a $75,000 grant for the Food Bank of South Jersey’s Hope Mobile Food Pantry and school food pantries programs.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the County also partnered with the Food Bank of South Jersey to hold monthly food distribution events at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center in Westampton. During those events, volunteers distributed free boxes of shelf-stable groceries, fresh produce, frozen meals, dairy products and prepared family and children’s meals.
Close to 48,000 individuals received food during the more than 40 distribution events held by the County during the health crisis.
“Food insecurity is a real threat that impacts the health and wellbeing of children, working adults and seniors throughout our nation,” said Hopson. “Our County doesn’t just talk about this problem. We continue to take action to assist those local organizations that provide a safety net for vulnerable households.”