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OUR MISSION 

       As an interfaith group of concerned people, we shall work to carry out the Biblical message of justice and sharing through MEND.  We shall aspire to manifest a visible witness of God’s love by sponsoring a cooperative network of emergency food pantries, donor churches and synagogues, schools, businesses, and community groups designed to effectively respond to the emergency needs of our hungry brothers and sisters in Essex County.

          The MEND network strives to advocate on behalf of the hungry by helping clients get the benefits to which they have a right and by generating support for just and compassionate policies, which will improve the quality of life for those we serve.

OUR HISTORY

        In 1979, MEND’s first full year of operation, there were only eight pantries serving approximately 500 people a month.  In 2008, over 53,000 needy individuals in the Essex County area turned to the MEND (Meeting Emergency Needs with Dignity) emergency food centers for assistance.  MEND, an interfaith anti-hunger network in Essex County, has been providing emergency food to individuals and families in crisis for over twenty-five years.  The 15 pantries serve those struck by fire, theft, unemployment, illness and other crisis.  While assistance is provided to individuals and families, the majority of the clients are young children (44 % of the total population served).

          All MEND clients must have an authorized referral letter in order to be served.  Since there is a limited supply of food available to MEND, the pantry coordinators try to exercise good stewardship of food they receive.  A referral letter helps to ensure that the food is going to an individual who is truly in need. 

             Many of the MEND pantries provide other support services in addition to their food pantry operation.  These types of services reflect the commitment of the member pantries to respond to the ever-changing needs of their particular community.  A few pantries provide clothing, two other pantries serve hot meals on certain days of the week, day care is provided at another pantry and one pantry operates an emergency shelter.

          The primary activity of the MEND network is the collection and distribution of food.  This is coordinated by the Emergency Food and Nutrition Network of Catholic Charities which also contributes the services of a van and a driver to pick up the food collections.  The food for the pantries comes mostly from the Emergency Food and Nutrition Network, local churches, synagogues and community organizations.  Thanks to these groups’ generosity, MEND was able to distribute over 38 tons of quality food items to the member pantries last year.  In addition to supplying these pantries on a regular basis, MEND also sponsors special projects like Help A Family at Christmas and Share the Harvest project to help those in need.  MEND welcomes participation by concerned people of all faiths.

          To be a member pantry, coordinators must agree to specific guidelines and submit monthly reports to the MEND Coordinator concerning the number of clients served, reason for food assistance, etc.  This enables MEND to provide valuable statistics to advocate the cause of the hungry on a local and state level and be good stewards of the monetary and food donations received.

We are always looking for volunteers. Give us a call anytime, or just stop by.

Call (973) 266-7941 for details.