The ninth giving season of Living-ston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) is off to an extremely strong start “thanks to our altruistic Livingston residents,” announced Jeff Friedman, founder and director of the organization.
LPI volunteers provided needed clothing items to the Bessie Green Community at North Reformed Church, and toiletry gift bags to clients at John’s Soup Kitchen, both located in Newark.
The Bessie Green “Clothes Barn” operation received a large, three-vehicle delivery from volunteers Alan Levin, Rick Levin and Stephen Greenberg.
“Still using personal vehicles to make it happen, they are loaded up to the gills with an array of family clothing, shoes, coats, men’s dress attire and more,” said Friedman. “Mostly high-quality garments, as always.”
Levin, a founding LPI volunteer, reported that “We filled up my SUV, Alan’s station wagon and Stephen’s car. We picked up a bigger than expected load of donations at the Tribune, too.”
Monique Kelly, Bessie Green kitchen and clothes barn manager and LPI friend, said she was “tickled to add major new fashion stock for the fall giving season,” Friedman added.
“Thank you so much for everything. We appreciate all you do for Bessie Green,” said Kelly.
“I have to point out that it’s our Livingston neighbors doing it all – we just deliver,” said Friedman.
Pursuing LPI’s mission of providing for the poor, homeless and disenfranchised, volunteers Joyce Friedman (Jeff Friedman’s sister-in-law); Will Lombardo (his great-nephew); and Will’s friend, Aiden Walker; distributed toiletries and cosmetics gift bags along the food line at St. John’s Soup Kitchen and Women’s Center in Newark.
“Those living below the poverty line need it all,” said Friedman, “unneeded coats, winter accessories, men’s shoes and sneakers, toiletries, cosmetics, diapers, women’s products and more. The need is severe and it’s right now.”
Residents may bring donations to the offices of the West Essex Tribune, located at 495 South Livingston Avenue, next to ShopRite.
To support LPI financially, contributions may be mailed to LPI, PO Box 247, Livingston, NJ 07039.
“Let’s close with these sage words from Vincent Van Gogh,” said Friedman:
“To save a life is a real and beautiful thing. To make a home for the homeless, yes, it is a thing that must be good; whatever the world may say, it cannot be wrong.”
Photo: Will Lombardo, left, great-nephew of Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) founder Jeff Friedman, with his friend Aiden Walker, deliver men’s dress attire to LPI Headquarters (Friedman’s garage) for a planned delivery to Newark Emergency Services ...
