Continuiti Donates Funds Earmarked for Holiday Gifts
to Local Food Bank

Every year, we traditionally send a holiday gift to all of our clients and HR professional contractors with whom we had the good fortune of doing business during the year.  However, this year, given the unprecedented need caused by the recession in ’09, we decided to instead donate those funds normally earmarked for holiday gifts to a worthy cause as well as volunteer our time.

Having been at “ground zero” of the highest unemployment rate since the Depression, we were all too aware of how wide and deep a swath this recession had cut in the ranks of the employed. Therefore, we were sensitive to reports that “food security” had become a very real concern for an unprecedented number of middle-income families. Never before had food banks received an influx of so many people who had never before required public assistance. Many new families were unfamiliar with the process, ashamed by the need to ask for help when they themselves had been in a position to give before. Food banks everywhere opened their doors to this growing population to aid them in securing the basic needs for themselves and their families. In fact, some “prosperous” communities have opened centers to help a growing middle-class population in need, as evidenced by the launch of the Family Success Center in the United Way of Montclair.

We researched the issue and ultimately decided to donate our time and money to the Community Food Bank (CFB) of New Jersey, located in Hillside. In Feeding America’s 2009 Economic Impact Report: Food Bank Response (http://feedingamerica.org/newsroom/local-impact-study/local-foodbank-estimates/~/media/Files/research/local-impact-survey-2009/nj-hillside.ashx) the Community Food Bank of NJ reported an unprecedented increase in demand – and mostly due to unemployment and housing costs.  There were more requests from existing clients; as well as more first-time users, more children and more employed persons requesting assistance.

We arrived at the CFB at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 22nd, dressed warmly as instructed, and ready to jump in wherever needed. We were greeted by the Volunteer Services Director, who walked and talked us through the enormous operation of the CFB. Much to our surprise, the CFB was much more than a food donations warehouse (and warehouse it is - rivaling any COSTCO.)

With Christmas just a couple of days away, we were asked to assist in the Kid’s Division, fulfilling last-minute clothing requests for clothing packages for children in emergency shelters throughout the state. As the holiday season is normally filled with toys and gifts for most children, it was sobering to see requests to provide children with the barest of winter necessities. The CFB accepts only brand new donations for clothing, relying on the good will of manufacturers and clothing stores to donate items. This results in a very uneven distribution of clothing overall (in terms of item types and sizes), and donations of girls’ clothing outnumbered that of boys’ by a ratio of at least 3 to 1.

For winter coats, the CFB relies on the donation of “gently used” coats from the public. At the time we were there, the selection of warm winter coats was paltry. Coats were simply not available in certain sizes, and many that were there were not appropriate for winter wear. To see a photo essay recording our day at the CFB, please click here.

We applaud the CFBNJ, its staff and volunteers for their dedication to assisting the needy in our community and for the very professional and efficient manner in which it runs such a huge operation. We urge anyone who has any "gently used" children’s winter coats - to consider dropping them off at the NJ Community Food Bank, or a similar organization in your state. The need is very real and you can rest assured that your child’s coat will make its way to a child in extreme need of protection from the cold. To learn more about the work at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, visit  www.njfoodbank.org.