Last week, I was invited to speak on a panel entitled “A Sector in Crisis: How Nonprofits and Foundations are Navigating Challenge.” 

As I prepared, one number stood out:
since 2021, MEND pantries have experienced a 42% increase in the numbers of people seeking food assistance. Although I had often referred to 2025 as “COVID 2.0,” this stat proved that the need hasn’t just remained high since then – it has steadily grown.

And it highlighted something equally important: because of you, we’ve kept pace. While “navigating challenges” (and snow… so. much. snow.) seems to be the norm these days, you make it possible for MEND to continue to respond.

Thank you!

Yours in gratitude,
Robin Peacock
Executive Director

P.S. – The first Food & Health Equity Coalition (FHEC) meeting of the year is Thursday, March 12. This Coalition, anchored by MEND, is one way you can learn more about the incredible collaborative efforts underway to navigate food security challenges in Essex County. Register here if you’d like to join!

Hot off the press: New Jersey just released its first Food Security Strategic Plan! 

If you’d like to learn more, you can:

MEND recently welcomed a group of volunteers to pack home delivery boxes.

Typically, MEND sources the produce boxes from Urban Agriculture Cooperative, thanks to corporate support from RWJBH.

Occasionally, however, MEND purchases “most requested” produce for the boxes, based on program participant feedback – and invites volunteers to pack the boxes. This allows for more variety beyond what’s grown in New Jersey (we love you Garden State, but that’s a lot of potatoes!!).

This time, the volunteers received nearly instant feedback via a MEND Google review!

Students at Marshall Elementary School in South Orange, NJ, created Valentine’s cards which were included with February home deliveries to 229 families.

Are you interested in doing something similar with a group? Learn more by clicking the link, below!

The Able Baker is a long-time MEND supporter – and, this month, they had extra heart-shaped sugar cookies to share!

The cookies were a hit at the South 17th Street Elementary School mobile market, where 260 families were able to take home some sweet treats, along with their fresh produce and eggs!

You may have seen SNAP in the headlines last year during the Federal Government shut down. Now, implementation of H.R. 1 is underway, and new requirements mean fewer people may qualify.

With funding support from the NJ Department of Agriculture, MEND hired Dalili Gonzalez in 2025 to help neighbors determine their eligibility and apply for SNAP benefits.

Dalili works directly with community members at food pantries, schools, health fairs, and other partner sites. She also connects people to Community Health Workers and other resources, serving as a trusted “one-stop” support.

Through FHEC, MEND also recently hosted a SNAP “ShareShop” to brief community partners on these federal policy changes. MEND is planning a virtual SNAP Town Hall in April to address these changes, and their impact – stay tuned for more information.

When asked what is most needed (besides food), MEND pantry leaders have been asking for diapers and wipes lately.

If you’d like to help, please consider ordering from MEND’s Amazon Wishlist.

All sizes are welcome, with a preference for larger sizes (adult diapers are welcome, too!).

Meet the “Chilly” Pepper” – MEND’s new refrigerated van! Complementing the “Sweet Potato” box truck and the “Sweet Pea” cargo van, the “Chilly Pepper” will keep fresh food at safe and consistent temperatures, even in peak summer heat (which we will all experience again, someday…).

Thank you to 4Elbows for their design support and to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture for funding the purchase of this van!