Livingston Philanthropies, Inc (LPI) this week highlights its long-time distribution partner, Newark’s Bessie Green Community. Bessie Green has been working with LPI for ten years.Known among its neighbors as the “Red Door,” Bessie Green Community Inc. has been serving the underprivileged of Newark since 1978. Led by executive director Brenda Scott and manager Monique Kelly, the agency provides hot meals, clothing, bags of food, and support services to the community at large. Bessie Green Community’s mission “feeding, clothing, and supporting our neighbors with compassion and dignity as we diligently pursue the vision of an equitable world for all.”“We are very thankful for the donations from Livingston Philanthropies,” commented Scott. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, their support has helped women with children, seniors, students and the homeless.”Added Kelly, “Thank you, Livingston Philanthropies, for everything you do for Bessie Green.”“LPI has been working with the Bessie Green Community for a decade now, and its mission dovetails nicely with our mission of ‘providing for the homeless, profoundly poor, and disenfranchised,’” said LPI founder and chief executive officer Jeff Friedman. It puts me in mind of the words of actor Denzel Washington, who said, ‘At the end of the day, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished… it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.’ ”In conclusion, Friedman noted, “Perhaps shockingly, there are babies on Newark’s food pantry lines, being born to families living below the poverty line. The pandemic has increased these numbers, most unfortunately. “For those in a position to help families in need and those existing out on the cold streets, Livingston neighbors may partner with Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) at paypal.me/njhomeless or by mail to LPI, 8 Country Club Road, Livingston, NJ 07039. Contributions are tax-deductible. Please visit our newly updated website at njhomeless.org, designed by Livingston resident Allison Eglow.”Photo: On a weekly basis, LPI’s ten-year distribution partner, Bessie Green Community, Inc. in Newark, distributes fresh produce and other food items to the homeless and families living below the poverty line.
