The Arc of Atlantic County Partners with Community Food Bank of NJ To Provide Thanksgiving Meals to Benefit Families


Food Boxes, Turkeys being distributed to Local People through Holiday Partners Program

The Arc of Atlantic County and the Community Food Bank of NJ have partnered together to assist people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) this holiday season.  Thanksgiving Food Boxes for 150 people living with (I/DD) and their families will be distributed just in time for the holiday.

“We have traditionally partnered with several area businesses who set up drop locations for non-perishable food items to benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” Commented Rebecca Reed, Director of Clinical Services, The Arc of Atlantic County.  “We brainstormed alternative ways to make this happen, and called upon The Community Food Bank of NJ to help.” Reed added.

The Community Food Bank of NJ arranged for 150 boxes of non-perishable food items and 20 turkeys to be delivered to The Arc of Atlantic County’s main office in Egg Harbor Township. The food boxes are distributed by support coordinators to people and families based on applications received.

“The Community Food Bank of NJ is proud to partner with The Arc of Atlantic County to provide Holiday meals to people in need,” said Denise Hladun, Director of External Affairs. “Hundreds of individuals will benefit from a receiving non-perishable food items to ensure that their Thanksgiving needs are being taken care of.” Hladun added.

The Arc of Atlantic County provides support and services to over 1, 000 people with I/DD in Southern New Jersey. The partnership with the Community Food Bank of NJ made it possible to assist individuals with families, while being mindful of current health and safety protocols.

CFBNJ staff, volunteers, and partner agencies are collecting turkeys and other holiday food items at nearly 40 supermarkets, churches, and other sites this year. In 2019, CFBNJ received nearly 44,000 pounds of food and about 5,700 turkeys thanks to the generosity of those who donated.

“We are grateful for this partnership, and for those volunteers who work so hard to make the holidays a little brighter for people who live with an intellectual or developmental disability,” Rebecca Reed continued. “Caring for a family member with I/DD can be challenging for families at any income level, but when you add single-parenthood or a single-income to the situation, the holidays can become overwhelming,” Reed added.

The Arc of Atlantic County’s Holiday Partners program is seeking monetary donations to purchase gift cards for children, individuals and families who receive support coordination services from The Arc and have a financial need this holiday season. To donate visit https://givebutter.com/TheArcHolidays or visit https://thearcatlantic.org/donate.

For more information, please contact Mary Ruley Moyer, Director of Development and Community Outreach at 609.485.0800 ext. 135 or by email mmoyer@thearcatlantic.org.

About The Arc of Atlantic County

The Arc of Atlantic County works to improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community. Through direct services, advocacy, education and prevention activities, we work in partnership with individuals and their families to make choices possible about how and where they live, learn, play and work. The Arc of Atlantic County serves nearly 800 individuals and their families annually and is accredited by The Council on Quality and Leadership.

Please Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.

About The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ)
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey is a member of Feeding America®, has been delivering food, help and hope across the state for 45 years. Last year, CFBNJ provided nutritious food for over 66 million meals through its network of more than 1,000 community partners including pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, mobile pantries, and child and senior feeding programs throughout the 11 New Jersey counties it directly serves (Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union). For our hungry neighbors, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey is the powerful agent of change that fills the emptiness caused by hunger and provides resources that are essential to earning a sustainable living.

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