Basking Ridge Group Connects People To Help Amid Pandemic

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Victoria Costa moved to Basking Ridge a couple years ago so she could better help her elderly parents. Once the initial coronavirus outbreak began in New Jersey, her role in assisting them became more intensive.

As Costa performed tasks that would've otherwise left them vulnerable, such as groceries, she realized many more in Basking Ridge could use help with getting through this difficult period. That's why she created the Basking Ridge helping Basking Ridge Facebook group.

"It was then that I realized how many were still in that predicament where their family was far away or they didn’t have family," Costa told Patch.

Like many early in the pandemic, Costa thought New Jersey's coronavirus issues might last a couple weeks. Of course, it lasted far longer, and soon many throughout New Jersey and the nation struggled with unemployment and meeting basic needs.

Before the pandemic, 5 percent of Somerset County households were in poverty. An additional 23 percent were one emergency away from financial ruin, according to United Way of Northern New Jersey. Although the organization doesn't have such data available from the time the pandemic began, it's quite likely COVID-19 only exacerbated those issues.

Related article: Many In Bernards Twp. 1 Emergency From 'Financial Ruin': Report

"I think people are in denial or don’t realize that just because you live in Basking Ridge, it doesn’t mean you won’t fall on hard times," Costa said. "We’re seeing that with the economy and people’s health. At the drop of a dime, things can change."

So the group, which now has about 1,700 members, helped people in any way they could: fetching groceries, donating basic necessities and promoting local businesses.

The needs grew bigger than what group members could keep up with, and Costa called it a "Band-Aid approach" to the scale of the situation. But luckily for those in need, Bernards Township set up a senior help line last April.

Resident senior citizens seeking help can call 908-204-0777 or email btseniors@bernards.org. Those calling or emailing are asked to include the following:

• first and last name
• home address and phone number
• type of assistance needed
• any special needs related to the request that the caller may have

The township connected with community groups and Basking Ridge helping Basking Ridge. So the Facebook group continues to connect people to services they may need.

The Church of Saint James has a Friendly Visitors and Shoppers program, which assists homebound seniors and helps stock their pantries and refrigerators.

The Men of Charity — also affiliated with the church — provide charitable services for the community at large. One family in need had one parent lose their job and another face illness, and the Men of Charity has helped them with their bills, Costa says.

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And in the meantime, the group still helps people with specific requests if they need something greater than what organizations and food banks can provide.

But there are easy ways for anyone around Basking Ridge to help, Costa says.

"Look out for where the food pantries are, pick up extra groceries, become a shopper with the St. James coordination, give a donation to Men of Charity or a food bank," she said.

Check out the Facebook group.

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