Livingston Philanthropies Inc. (LPI) founder and director Jeff Friedman says the Livingston-based charity is continuing to help the homeless during the coronavirus pandemic.
“This week’s LPI photo is our friend, Bob, who has resided on the same bench on Newark’s Route 21 (McCarter Highway) for years now,” said Friedman. “Like the 1991 movie starring Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfus, we like to ask ‘What About Bob?’
“When we’re in Newark delivering to our distribution associates, we stop to see Bob for a quick hand-off of money, toiletries, a heavy winter coat and whatever else we may have at the time. Bob is homeless. His world is the cold streets, or Penn Station when the temperature drops.”
Friedman continued, “I worry about our Route 21 friend and the thousands of other ‘Bobs’ just like him. We are not the only benefactors who give them ‘stuff’ all the time. What now? Sure, the soup kitchens are still serving, but in a reduced level of service due to lack of volunteers during the crisis. Now, here in April, 2020, our needy brothers and sisters have it even worse than ever before.”
Livingston neighbors can help, Friedman said. “Currently, LPI is sending what we can afford to procure to distribution agencies where Bob and so many others go to receive sustenance and other necessities. For those who have the means to help, generous contributions can be made on PayPal or through the mail. Donations are tax-deductible.”
Friedman is also reaching out to Livingston’s civic organizations to consider financial assistance “during this very special time in our history. I’m more than ready to discuss. Please send me an email at njhomeless@aol.com to arrange a phone or Zoom meeting.”
In closing, he said, “I’d like to quote actor John Travolta, who said, ‘You feel alive to the degree that you feel you can help others.’ ”
During the ongoing pandemic, Friedman is shopping online to ship food-related items to LPI’s Newark distribution associates. Livingston neighbors can help provide for the homeless and profoundly poor with a generous contribution on PayPal at paypal.me/lpinj or by mail to LPI, P.O. Box 247, Livingston, NJ 07039.
Photo: Bob, shown here bundled up against recent chilly weather, is a homeless man who shelters near McCarter Highway in Newark. Livingston Philanthropies Inc. (LPI) founder and director Jeff Friedman has been helping Bob and others like him for years, in many cases personally handing out food, clothing, and toiletries. Now,
