Things are looking no better for the poor and homeless of Essex County as the coronavirus pandemic continues to “grind on,” said Jeff Friedman, founder and director of Livingston Philanthropies Inc. (LPI).
“Too bad I have nothing new to report this week. That’s because it’s all the same – or worse,” Friedman noted. “I wish I could say that the homeless and profoundly poor are doing much better, but they’re not. It seems that some businesses and organizations are attempting to open, but unfortunately, that doesn’t change things a bit for the folks living below the poverty line just a few miles away from Livingston.”
He explained that food pantry lines are much longer than usual, with so many individuals having lost their jobs or having been temporarily furloughed without pay.
“Unbelievably, only now are a small number of homeless citizens finally being tested for COVID-19,” he said. “But Livingston’s residents and others have continued displaying outstanding levels of generosity in helping us.”
Since the outbreak began, LPI has switched gears and instead of collecting coats and other clothing and personal items, is now purchasing food and bottled water for distribution to the homeless. “It is gratifying to know that LPI’s pandemic re-invention has already helped so many hungry and thirsty souls,” said Friedman. But despite that, “It is disheartening, but sadly necessary, that I need to continue reaching out for kind contributions. My Livingston neighbors are aware, I trust, that I would never ask if the situation were not so dire.”
LPI, he noted, “will immediately turn generous donations into food and bottled spring waters for shipment to our long-time Newark distribution associates.”
Donations may be made by mail to LPI, P.O. Box 247, Livingston, NJ 07039; on PayPal at paypal.me/lpinj; or by visiting LPI’s website at njhomeless.org.
Friedman concluded, “I’d like to close this week with a quote from author Richelle E. Goodrich, who said, ‘Every sunrise is an invitation for us to arise and brighten someone’s day.’ Although things look to stay grim for a while, your donation can help us instill hope in the homeless for another day. Thank you all.”
Photo: Saint John’s Soup Kitchen in Newark serves hot meals to hundreds of homeless and poor five days a week. With food provided through donations to LPI, volunteers prepare hot meals to go for those living below the poverty line and/or on the streets.
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