LAWMAKERS SAY FOOD PANTRY WOES EMPHASIZE NEED TO ENCOURAGE TAXPAYERS TO DONATE MONEY

LAWMAKERS SAY FOOD PANTRY WOES EMPHASIZE NEED TO ENCOURAGE TAXPAYERS TO DONATE MONEY

(TRENTON) – Assembly Democratic lawmakers today said recent shortages and closings at food pantries throughout the state means it’s more important than ever to encourage taxpayers to donate money to help.

“The global economic meltdown means hunger isn’t being limited to the poor, but is now extending to the hard-working middle-class,” said Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen). “New Jersey is a generous state, and we can and should make it easier to spread that generosity and do whatever we can to ensure no one in this state goes to bed hungry.”

Johnson and Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (D-Mercer) are sponsoring legislation that would establish the "Community Food Pantry Fund" in the Department of the Treasury and allow taxpayers to voluntarily donate a portion of their income tax refund to the fund.

“The global economic crisis is hitting our state hard and may get worse,” DeAngelo said. “People who never thought they would ever visit a food pantry are now relying on them to put food on the table for their families. These are tough times, and anything we can do to make it easier for people to help those less fortunate is a good thing.”

Money donated to the fund would be distributed to community food pantries through the state’s food purchase program. All the money is to be used exclusively to buy food.

The Assembly recently voted 79-0 to approve the measure. It heads to the Senate for further consideration.

New state statistics show an estimated 250,000 new clients are seeking help this year from New Jersey’s food banks. That represents a 25 percent increase, and that increase comes with a 20 percent decrease in food supplies and donations.

Meanwhile, a food pantry in Paterson closed for a day because it had no food and 230 new clients. A Hillside food bank announced it will likely soon start rationing food. A Morristown food pantry reported food costs were up 300 percent and new clients up 400 percent.