AT&T recently donated more than $20,000 to three New Jersey nonprofit organizations to help families in Paterson and Somerset County who are dealing with food insecurity.
“Food insecurity is a problem in many places, and it’s been exacerbated by the pandemic and disasters like Tropical Storm Ida,” said Joseph Divis, interim president, AT&T New Jersey. “Our contributions to these organizations will enable them to help New Jerseyans in need.”
The organizations and contribution amounts follow:
Food Bank Network of Somerset County: $10,000
The organization used the contribution to purchase food items at discounted bulk rates to meet the increasing need of providing food assistance to residents facing food shortages.
“The Food Bank Network of Somerset County is extremely grateful for the generous donation provided by AT&T,” said Steve Katz, executive director, Food Bank Network of Somerset County. “It is only through the amazing support that we receive from outstanding organizations like AT&T that we are able to continue our work to provide for those in our communities that are in need.”
In the days immediately following Ida, employees in AT&T’s retail stores in the area also collected 135 pounds of non-perishable food that was delivered to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County.
CUMAC ECHO, Inc. (Paterson): $5,480
This organization, which serves more than 2,500 individuals each month, is dedicated to addressing the root causes of hunger and poverty.
“At CUMAC, we believe that ending hunger is about more than giving people food,” said Mark Dinglasan, executive director of CUMAC. “It is about building up a community by giving power back to the residents of the communities and partnering with families to help them access the resources they need to thrive. CUMAC empowers families through food justice, and we are grateful for the support of AT&T as we serve our community with dignity.”
Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children (Paterson): $5,480
The contribution will help Oasis carry out educational and social service programs that help women enter and succeed in the workforce and help children flourish academically, including focusing on issues related to food insecurity.
“We are incredibly grateful for the gift from AT&T,” said Laetitia Cairoli, director of development, Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children. “Those funds are being used to provide hot meals and emergency food bags to women and children living in poverty. The food we can distribute with this funding makes a real difference for families who are suffering from the lingering economic impact of this pandemic.”
