Livingston Philanthropies During the Pandemic: Partnership is Instrumental to Providing for Homeless

Wed
23
Dec

Livingston Philanthropies During the Pandemic: Partnership is Instrumental to Providing for Homeless

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“I’d like to thank our ever-generous Livingston residents and our community partners for helping Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) provide for the homeless, profoundly poor and disenfranchised during this devastating pandemic,” said Jeff Friedman, founder and director of LPI. He noted that the resident-community partnership has proven “instrumental” to LPI’s work to assist the homeless, which has had to be re-invented because of COVID-19. Friedman also reminded residents of LPI’s “Personal Shopping/Shipping to the Homeless” initiative. “Those who want to partner with LPI can shop online for warm coats, gloves, hats, scarves and warm men’s clothing. Diapers in all sizes are needed badly, as well,” he said. Donations may be shipped directly to LPI’s long-time distribution partners in Newark, to LPI World Headquarters (Friedman’s garage) or dropped at Friedman’s home at the convenience of donors. “It’s that simple to send these basics of life to those without financial access,” he said. LPI volunteers are also available to personal shop for the homeless on behalf of residents, Friedman continued. “Tax-deductible contributions can be mailed to LPI, P.O. Box 247, Livingston, NJ 07039, or handled immediately at paypal.me/lpinj,” he said. “Partnering with LPI is a great way to keep philanthropy local.” Friedman then reviewed “a few LPI highlights from the past few weeks.” These included a delivery of diapers, winter gloves and warm coats, purchased and shipped by “Personal Shipping” donors directly to LPI distribution partners, providing, he said, “an immediate positive outcome.” Buying wholesale in lots, LPI volunteers shipped hundreds of winter hats, gloves, diapers and masks. “Some were donated to the Livingston Lions’ Club for distribution at upcoming events servicing families in dire straits. Others were delivered to multiple LPI distribution partners in Newark,” Friedman explained. LPI volunteers delivered 80 ladies’ handbags filled with toiletries and cosmetics donated by a north Jersey church group; 600 plush toys donated by a Livingston resident; diapers purchased at ShopRite; and hundreds of hand-knit items provided once again by the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County’s “Creative Hands” knitting group. LPI’s strong partnership with Bimbo Bakeries U.S.A. delivered over 26,000 breads, bagels, cakes and English muffins to the growing number of families suffering from food insecurity during the pandemic. “Again, my thanks to all the donors who made all this possible,” Friedman said. “I’d like to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season and, in closing, remind everyone, in the words of Pope Francis, ‘We all have the duty to do ...

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