Editor’s Note: Jeff Friedman, founder and director of Livingston Philanthropies, Inc., here gives a report on the Livingston charity’s ninth season.
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Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) is pleased to share its Season Nine report to the community, with associated metrics. The season wrapped up at the end of August.
We are thrilled to announce the beginning of our Anniversary Season Ten, as we continue re-inventing to accommodate ever-expanding needs as the pandemic grinds on.
For those Livingston residents receiving this week’s special townwide distribution of Livingston’s publication of record, the West Essex Tribune, our stalwart partner since the beginning of our journey, and others who may be less familiar with LPI’s work, our mission continues to be “providing for the homeless, profoundly poor, and disenfranchised.” This population is New Jersey’s poorest, living way below the poverty line.
While Livingston Philanthropies traditionally received and personally delivered warm coats, winter accessories including gloves, hats and scarves, toiletries, cosmetics, family clothing and more, our organization this spring experienced a quick paradigm shift, along with just about every entity throughout much of the country. Now, through the generous financial support of Livingston neighbors, civic organizations and family giving funds, LPI, since mid-March, has been shipping cases of food, pantry items and baby items directly to our network of distribution partners in Newark and East Orange.
Food is new for LPI, but vital to accommodate not only the homeless, but also the growing number of people losing jobs every day and finding themselves on food pantry lines for the first time in their lives. The jobs may be gone, but their families still need to eat and continue to suffer from food insecurity.
What about the babies and young children? They clearly require diapers, lotion, baby wipes and clothing. Indeed, newborns and infants are in dire need. That’s why LPI continues to provide diapers in all sizes, along with other sought-after, very real, and quite expensive items. In fact, diapers are out of reach financially for many. I experience “sticker-shock” when purchasing diapers, even by the case. For those neighbors visiting food stores, have a look at the prices when passing by the baby aisle. It’s a proverbial eye-opener.
Here are the metrics representing Livingston Philanthropies’ Season Nine of giving. Volunteers are not logistically able to quantify the many thousands of pounds of winter accessories, toiletries and family clothing kindly donated by our residents and swiftly delivered to those who ...
