Montclair Food Pantry: 3 Stats That Show Local Need Amid COVID

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair saw 1,117 new households come for assistance in 2020 – it’s highest total ever.

That’s just one of several sobering statistics recently shared by the nonprofit, which serves Montclair and neighboring Essex County towns.

Learn more about donating to the pantry here.

Normally, the nonprofit offers a hand up to wide range of financially struggling clients – including elderly, disabled, homebound, unemployed and underemployed people – from its location on Label Street. But when the pandemic hit, staff and volunteers at the pantry have had to adapt, going mobile to reach hundreds of people who are homebound and “living on the edge.”

• See related article: Courage Trumps Coronavirus At Montclair Food Pantry

Recently, the pantry shared some statistics that show the need is ongoing in Essex County. They included:

NEW HOUSEHOLDS - “In 2020, we saw 1,117 new households come for assistance that had never been here before; the highest number we’ve ever seen in a calendar year.”

NEED FOR COATS - “We gave away more than 950 coats to almost 400 client households. About 300 leftover coats were distributed to NJ Skate Collective/Montclair Mutual Aid (coats, hats, gloves and socks) and Toni’s Kitchen (coats).”

NEED FOR SOCKS - “We had so many brand-new socks from Bombas and sock drives that we gave 6 pairs of socks to each household member. At the walk up giveaways, we distributed about 3,400 pairs of socks to more than 200 households. Together with the socks to delivery clients and Montclair Mutual Aid, we provided approximately 5,000 pairs of socks to our community.”

Patch has teamed with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.

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