NEPTUNE – The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties (FBMOC) will receive a major boost this summer thanks to a multiyear grant from the Charles Lafitte Foundation’s (CLF) Kid’s Corner program.
The donation, totaling $250,000 over five years, will directly benefit FBMOC’s Backpack Program, which provides food to chronically hungry children on weekends when school lunches are not available to them.
“One out of six children in our communities don’t have access to the food they need to grow and learn. Our backpack program helps the most vulnerable of those children,” said Carlos M. Rodriguez, FBMOC executive director.
Five years ago, the backpack program began and served just two schools and 60 children. Today, it provides weekend food to 600 chronically hungry children through 19 schools in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Schools served include those in Asbury Park, Freehold, Keansburg and Red Bank.
Weekend food is provided during the 34-week school year. During this time, the Backpack Program distributes 20,400 packages of food – or 81,600 meals – to children who would otherwise go hungry on Saturdays and Sundays.
CLF’s Kid’s Corner strives to encourage kids not only to have a voice, but also a role in helping better their community. Kid’s Corner is run by kids for kids, placing the power of change directly in their capable hands. Every child is invited to join with CLF and become a grant maker by telling the organization which nonprofit organizations are important to them and how CLF can help.
Additional information about FBMOC is available by visiting www.foodbankmoc.org or by calling 732-918-2600. Information about Kid’s Corner is available by visiting www.charleslafitte.org/kids-corner.
