Camden County, partnering with the TOUCH New Jersey Food Alliance, is pleased the plan will go on since the need for help is clearly visible.
"We see that the numbers are not dropping so that tells us that residents aren't doing better and that there is still concern about going into a market," said Freeholder Melinda Kane.
In describing the challenges people are facing during the pandemic, she added, "There's still economic difficulties even if people are going back to work that doesn't make up for the months and months where they were unemployed, or they haven't been to pay for their rent and health insurance, and other bills that pile up."
Hoping to ease that burden is just one of the reasons TOUCH New Jersey got involved. The volunteer food pantry, and certified agency with Philabundance, already provides several food programs to help the needy.
Executive Director Gerald Davis said this initiative is attracting people from all walks of life, from various socioeconomic backgrounds.
"Families that we have never seen before are there in line they are there with their children, senior citizens on a regular basis," he said. "We've had to jump up our services to deliver to shut-ins."
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So far, there have been 15 food distributions rotated at different locations throughout Camden since the pandemic began. The food, donated from local farmers, will be available every Friday. Everyone is welcome to take advantage of the program. Masks are required.
"This resource will provide two 20-pound boxes (of food). One with dairy in it, and in the fruit and vegetable one they’re getting everything from apples and oranges, lettuce, all fresh," Davis detailed.
"People grab it up," he said. "We did 400 drive-ins last week."