Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) began partnering with Bimbo Bakeries USA, in July. Bimbo is a national baked goods distributor with its local operation in Wayne. Through LPI and its distribution partners in Newark, Bimbo donations have passed 23,000 name-brand units distributed to the homeless, profoundly poor and disenfranchised since mid-July.
“This is huge for the homeless and families living below the poverty line,” says Jeff Friedman, founder and director of LPI since its inception in 2011. “Donations of this volume were unthinkable just months ago.” Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU), he adds, “is a company with strong and demonstrated community values. Special thanks to BBU’s Walter Syracuse for making it all happen, and Livingston resident Jason Declet for providing this helpful connection.” Friedman continues, “Food insecurity and homelessness stories are all over national news networks and local-market newscasts. Readers have seen the effect of COVID-19 on New Jersey’s poorest citizens, many of whom are living out on the cold streets. Livingston neighbors in a position to do so can make an immediate impact on families who are in need because mom and dad both lost their jobs. They now join the chronically homeless on Newark’s growing food lines.”
Friedman also invites Living-ston residents to partner with LPI’s “Personal Shopping/Shipping to the Homeless” initiative. “As LPI is doing new and from-the-cleaners coats and garments only at this time, purchased coats, hats, gloves, scarves, diapers, men’s socks, underwear, shirts and more can be shipped directly to one of LPI’s long-time (nine years) and trusted distribution partners downtown,” he explains. “For reasons of safety, the West Essex Tribune is not currently serving as a drop-off point. For private drop-off, please contact me at njhomeless@aol.com or at 973-533-9336.”
Altruistic residents, he says, “can also empower LPI volunteers to do the personal shopping and shipping in their stead by making a contribution at paypal.me/lpinj or by mail to LPI, P.O. Box 247, Livingston, NJ 07039.”
In closing, Friedman would like to “respectfully ask residents to consider keeping a portion of their 2019 tax-deductible giving right here in town with a donation to Livingston Philanthropies, Inc.”
Photo: Newark Emergency Services for Families (NESF) executive director Amina Bey and colleagues set up Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU) products to help provide for the poor, homeless, and families suffering from food insecurity because parents lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Livingston Philanthropies’ partnership with BBU has yielded 23,000 name-brand bakery goods for distribution since mid-July.
...
