Jeff Friedman, founder and director of Livingston Philanthropies Inc. (LPI) this week elaborated on where donations to the Livingston-based charity are going.
“As regular Tribune readers know, LPI has been providing cases of bread, bottled water and food items to the homeless and profoundly poor through our Newark distribution associates,” he noted. “The entire effort continues to be funded by altruistic Livingston residents through their kind donations.”
The daily survival needs of Essex County residents living below the poverty line, he continued, “is stunning. Aside from food insecurity, which is primary, the next priority for the poor is caring for their families in other ways. What about the infants and small children living in poverty? What about their needs? What are they to do?”
Long-time LPI friend Lisa Cherokee Raine Booker, a “Lady of the Boutique,” at Willing Heart Community Care Center, distributes items to the poor every Tuesday. Prior to the pandemic, this was an indoor operation; now the distributions take place outdoors. “We asked Lisa what she needed,” said Friedman, “and she quickly responded with vital and time-sensitive needs: small packs of wipes, diapers of all sizes, shampoo and lotion in trial sizes, children’s toothbrushes and toothpaste. She makes approximately 60 to 70 bags to hand out each time, about half of which are for babies. The continued contributions from Livingston neighbors will allow Livingston Philanthropies to fulfill those needs. Thank you Livingston, as always, for making it all happen!”
In addition, Friedman said, “the Weequahic Family Success Center in Newark is holding its monthly diaper give-away event at the end of the month ‘while supplies last.’ I earmarked monies to ensure that supplies will not run out this time.”
With its former collection of physical items for the poor on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Friedman, “LPI has no option but to continue requesting generous contributions. As Bob Dylan said, ‘the times they are a-changin’ ’ and it’s our duty to help the community in whatever way we can during these uncertain days.”
Those who would like to send monetary donations may mail them to Livingston Philanthropies Inc., P.O. 247, Livingston, NJ 07039. Or, Friedman noted, “To put one’s dollars to work almost immediately, please donate online at paypal.me/lpinj or on our website at njhomeless.org. Contributions are tax-deductible, of course.”
Photo: Just before the pandemic hit, Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) volunteer and Livingston resident Alan Wishengrad delivered hundreds of plush duckies to ...
