Wedding Dresses Get Second Life, Help To Fight Hunger In NJ

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ — Paula Cerdas of Mountainside is giving wedding dresses a second life while also helping to feed hungry families in New Jersey through her organization Lace For Love.

"When COVID started I became very apparent of the hunger issue in my community," said Cerdas. "So many people lost their jobs and couldn't put food on the table. I began to deliver groceries to families but wondered how can I do more?"

She heard about a nonprofit bridal shop in Michigan and decided to try to replicate that in the Garden State.

Cerdas along with Marta Brulinski, Ashley Jensen, Taylor Cerdas, and Kevin Handeli launched Lace For Love in December 2020 which is entirely volunteer-run. She is working to have her organization become New Jersey’s first non-profit bridal shop. Cerdas has applied for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

To get Lace For Love off the ground they started pushing for dress donations and financial donations.

Currently, Cerdas is keeping the donated dresses at her home but is looking to open a retail store space to sell the dresses at a significant discount — about half off. She has about 135 dresses with a goal of collecting 250 before opening the store.

"It is super exciting and slightly overwhelming all at the same time," said Cerdas of starting her organization.

Once the store is open brides can make an appointment and shop for dresses at the store. Right now if a bride is interested they can reach out to info@laceforlove.com or 973-944-0596 to make an appointment at Cerdas' home.

All of the money raised from the dresses profits go to Table to Table — a community-based food rescue program that collects perishable and prepared food.

For more information on Lace For Love, becoming a volunteer, or to make a donation visit laceforlove.com.

Patch has partnered 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 2021, about 42 million Americans may 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.