HealthBarn Seeks 2nd Grant, Celebrates 'Feed The Frontlines' Goal

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The HealthBarn Foundation achieved their lofty mission to provide $1 million in economic relief to local restaurants, and deliver 100,000 meals to those facing food insecurity in Bergen County. But the group says they're just getting started.

HealthBarn Foundation and its partners will continue the "Feed the Frontlines" initiative, the organization said, with the nonprofit seeking a second grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s "Sustain and Serve" program.

This comes after state lawmakers approved additional funding for the NJEDA.

"We’ve demonstrated that we can get the job done with a dynamic model comprised of restaurants, charities, and an army of volunteers. We’re committed to advancing our ‘Feed the Frontlines & Helping Those in Need’ program to provide even more healthy and nutritious meals to Bergen County residents," said Stacey Antine, founder and director of the HealthBarn Foundation.

"Even as the threat of COVID-19 subsides, we now know firsthand the need within an affluent area like Bergen County. Our partners, including the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce and Bergen County Food Security Task Force, are ready for the sequel hopefully coming late summer."

Though the group is looking forward, a Thursday event took time to look back, celebrating the 400-plus volunteers who delivered meals through local food pantries, charities, and organizations. Ridgewood’s participating restaurants were also recognized at the event.

"To see the response of the community and all the moving parts that came together to make this program a success is a testament to the dedication of all those involved," said Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Zur, who also leads the Bergen County Food Security Task Force.

"This is a critical initiative not only for Bergen County but for the entire state, especially as we cautiously emerge from the pandemic."

The volunteer drivers were critical to the success of the initiative, making more than 2,000 trips totaling 1,218 hours, and delivering to 217 locations every week, according to the group.

"The Bergen County volunteer network, particularly Ridgewood residents, are the driving force behind the Feed the Frontlines initiative. The dedication and generosity of our drivers and administrative team is astounding. We are all committed to doing what we can to help those in need, and we are prepared to support the next phase of this program," said Jeanne Johnson, a community organizer in Ridgewood who coordinated the initiative’s transportation efforts.

"The framework is in place, and we’re ready to roll day one when a second grant is approved."

In addition to the meals, the effort also provided $1 million for local restaurants, according to the organization.

The partnerships were coordinated by the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce and translated into 10,000 hours of paid worker for dozens of local employees over the three-month period, the organization said.

The Feed the Frontlines program was started by HealthBarn in March 2020. The program raised over $100,000 and served around 8,000 meals. The operation expanded in March 2021 thanks to a $1 million grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Read more: Ridgewood's HealthBarn Fights Food Insecurity With Grant Money