JACKSON – The Jackson Food Pantry has long served individuals in need within the community but at the moment, it needs a new home and if a new location isn’t found by June 10, the pantry may be forced to temporarily close.
The Jackson Times reached out to the Mayor’s Office and the Township Council to learn the status of the Jackson Food Pantry. Its closure – even temporarily – threatens to disrupt access for many households who rely on its services each month.
Council President Jennifer Kuhn told The Jackson Times that the pantry’s original site, on Don Connor Boulevard, was discovered to have had a rat infestation. She had witnessed this and had posted photos to township social media sites.
That issue led to the pantry’s relocation and an exterminator going into the building. Kuhn said she and Councilman Giuseppe Palmeri approached the township Board of Education for a possible replacement site. They were later informed by Mayor Michael Reina that the Senior Center was available.
Mayor Reina and the Jackson Women of Today announced recently that the pantry might have to temporarily close due to facility relocation needs.
The announcement noted if a more suitable location is not secured by the June 10 deadline, the interim site will be shut down. According to the announcement, the Jackson Senior Center, “is no longer sustainable for continued operations due to space limitations.”
“For years, this pantry has been a vital resource for our community, providing food security and dignity to families facing hardship,” Jackson Women of Today President Yvonne Thomas said.
“We are committed to continuing this mission, but we are at a critical point where a change in location is necessary to meet the growing needs and ensure the safety and accessibility of our services,” Thomas added.
“The demand for food assistance remains high, and losing this service, even temporarily, would create a gap in essential support,” Mayor Reina said.
Reina added, “we are actively seeking community partners, property owners, and business owners who can help identify a safe and suitable location.”
Councilman Giuseppe Palmeri reached out to the mayor on May 9 about the pantry.
In e-mails shared with The Jackson Times, Mayor Reina stated to Councilman Palmeri that “the Jackson Food Pantry will unfortunately have to temporarily suspend operations on or about the timing of the June primary as their location is in the exact same spot as the Voting Districts in that area. In speaking with the Jackson Women of Today they told me that they will distribute as long as they can and will give gift cards for perishables that would normally be provided.”
The mayor stated in his response to Palmeri that the “Administration like you does not want this valuable resource to go away as many residents depend on this much needed service to live. Recognizing these facts we have already started a search and have reached out to the Board of Education to see if they have any space or know of an area than can be utilized.”
Mayor Reina said that houses of worship were being contacted throughout the township throughout Jackson and that suggestions by businesses and residents were sought as to the existence of a place where “we can re-establish a safe, suitable and long-lasting location for the Jackson Food Pantry.”
“The DPW space where the Food Pantry was previously located has been exterminated and hopefully the eradication of all vermin has been successful. The area now has to undergo a demolition and rebuild,” the mayor told Palmeri.
Reina added that over time, “the Food Pantry in the DPW space continually encroached into other small areas that were never intended to house such an operation. Given Administration and Council’s commitment to grow the DPW considering to place the Food Pantry back in that location is not practical or logical anymore.”
“This is why we need to reach out across Jackson to find another location capable of handling the growing needs of the Food Pantry. I am hoping that you and Council can assist with this so we can be successful and limit the amount of down time,” the mayor said in his response to Palmeri.
How to Help
Community members, landlords and organizations with available space are encouraged to reach out to the Mayor’s Office at 732-928-1200 ext. 1211.
“We remain hopeful and determined but we need the community’s support to continue serving those who need it most,” Reina added.
