A Letter From Our Executive Director
Dear Friends,
Nestled at the core of our community, Rise Pantry transcends being a mere food source; it represents a bastion of hope, compassion, and steadfast dedication to our neighbors. With the investment of nearly 13,000 volunteer hours yearly, we pour immense devotion into nourishing and aiding those among us who are most vulnerable. Our efforts manifest in tangible support, including holiday bags complete with blankets, 3,000 yearly personal care packages, and even specialized monthly pet provisions for 85 families, all ensuring that essential items reach approximately 879 families, encompassing 1,043 children and hundreds of USDA-registered households.
Faced with a recent crisis, our beloved pantry was at risk from a nearby fire, threatening our facility and the precious provisions stored within. The flames spared us by fortune and favorable winds, yet the incident has precipitated a dire need for funds to restock and improve our fire defense systems to avert future perils (one of our wonderful staff members attempted to battle the blaze with the few fire extinguishers that we had in an attempt to save our neighbor’s property before first responders arrived on scene).
We turn to you through our website, njrise.org/donate-now, to rally the spirit of community and generosity. Your contributions are pivotal in restoring our food supplies, personal hygiene products, baby essentials, and pet food. Beyond recovery from one of our busiest seasons yet, your support will bolster our infrastructure, ensuring we remain a dependable pillar for our elderly and families during crucial evening and emergency distributions.
Join us in fortifying the Rise Pantry, our community’s beacon of resilience. We are deeply grateful for your empathy and backing in these crucial moments.
With a grateful heart,
Leslie Koppel
Executive Director
