Citing ongoing need, the Burlington County Commissioners announced the launch of a new $1 million grant program to support local food pantries and other organizations assisting food insecure households.
The Burlington County Grants for Food Banks and Food Pantries program will offer grants up to $75,000 to nonprofit organizations that are providing food assistance to residents in Burlington County and have experienced increased demand since the beginning of COVID-19.
As of 2020, an estimated 31,800 Burlington County residents, including 9,000 children, were considered food insecure because they lived in households without consistent access to adequate healthy foods.
“Food insecurity was brought to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic when many of our residents were out of work and struggling. While many families have recovered, we know there are still far too many households struggling to earn enough to afford adequate food,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “No one should ever have to go hungry to pay for other critical needs, so we’re expanding food assistance across the county to ensure those in need can more easily obtain help.”
The food grants program is funded with federal aid the County received from the American Rescue Plan Act and is being administered by CGP&H. Applications are now being accepted and awards will be made on a rolling basis until funding is exhausted.
The Commissioners appropriated $1 million for the program. Grants can be used to purchase and distribute food or acquire or upgrade equipment such as stoves, freezers, coolers and shelving.
Nonprofits interested in applying for a grant can request an application by emailing BurlCoFood@cgph.net or by calling 609-795-2503.
The grants mark a major expansion of the County’s food assistance program, which began in early 2020 during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the health emergency, the County 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 the events, volunteers distributed free boxes of shelf-stable groceries, fresh produce, frozen meats, dairy products, family prepared and children’s meals to households in need. Those seeking help were also offered assistance with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program applications and were given information about other supplemental assistance programs.
Close to 48,000 individuals were assisted during the more than 40 distribution events held since 2020.
“Launching Burlington County’s food assistance program was among the most important actions we took during the pandemic. By holding monthly distribution events, we were able to get food to thousands of people who needed it,” Hopson said. “While the worst impacts of the pandemic have passed, there is still widespread need throughout the county, so we’ve created this grant program to provide more resources for local food pantries, food banks and soup kitchens. These organizations are on the frontlines in the fight against hunger and food insecurity; by helping them, we’re ensuring households can easily access assistance closer to their homes.”
Before the pandemic, the County also supported the launch of Virtua’s Mobile Grocery Store to make fresh, healthy foods available at below-market prices in underserved Burlington County communities.
Organizations fighting hunger have also faced financial challenges due to higher costs for food and other supplies.
“The same prices that are straining family budgets are also creating financial strains on food banks and other nonprofits that are serving vulnerable individuals and families,” Hopson said. “This funding will help ensure their shelves remain stocked and that they can continue their missions of serving those most in need.”