Nonprofit Food Pantry On A Mission To Feed Hungry In Basking Ridge Area

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Hunger doesn't discriminate. It doesn't care about your race, gender or age. And even in some of the most affluent communities such as Basking Ridge, some residents are hungry.

That's why volunteers at God’s Co-op Food Pantry have made it their mission to make sure everyone is fed.

The food pantry, a 501c non-profit organization, was founded in 2011 by 10 women from the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church.

The pantry was previously housed behind the First Presbyterian Church in Bernardsville but was told in December 2022 by the pastor the space was needed for his growing congregation. That is when they moved over to a garage at 12 East Allen St. owned by the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church.

Co-Founder of the God's Co-Op Pantry Evelyn Drake said she "wanted to be part of something and create it from the ground up."

Drake told Patch the pantry started by giving away 50 bags a month now that has soared to 550 to 600 bags distributed on average per month.

They are now serving 70 percent more neighbors than just 5 years ago. Nearly 40 percent of their clients are children under 18 years old. The number of bags distributed is up 50 percent. There are currently over 475 households registered with the pantry.

Bags are given to clients such as veterans from the Valley Brook Community in Lyons, residents of Ridge Oak Senior Housing, and members of the general public in Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Liberty Corner, Lyons, Peapack-Gladstone, and Long Hill.

"Some people have to choose between feeding their kid or paying the electric bill. It's your neighbor and your friends. It could be anyone. It hits home a lot," said Chair of God's Co-Op Pantry Sally Speakman.

The pantry is run entirely by volunteers and historically 100 percent of funds raised go directly to cover expenses for food, supplies, and maintenance.

Drake and Speakman help to coordinate the pantry and manage volunteers such as Mary Donelik of Bernardsville and Betsy Fryling of Basking Ridge.

"I can't do a lot but if I can do something to help then it's a good day," said Donelik as she filled a donation bag.

Volunteers help stock shelves, unload trucks, put together bags, help with distribution and pick-up days, and more.

"We are so fortunate to have so many volunteers and support," said Speakman.

"We volunteer here because it shows we love our neighbors," said Fryling.

Bags are usually filled with staples and nonperishable items such as cereal, applesauce, tuna, rice, beans, and more.

Food is obtained from the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, located in Hillside, from food drives held by local organizations such as civic groups, individuals and schools, and purchased from ShopRite in Bernardsville.

Each bag contains about $40 worth of groceries. The general cost for key food items include:

• $20,000 for Maseca flour for one year
• $12,000 for dry black beans for one year
• $2,000 for one chicken distribution
• $1,000 for rice for one month
• $1,000 to fill 25 bags with groceries
• $400 to fill 10 bags with groceries
• $40 to fill 1 bag with groceries

Each month some type of protein (normally chicken, pork, beef or fish) is provided to each client. During the summer and early fall months, thanks to the generosity and partnerships of local farms and gardeners, fresh fruits and vegetables are available.

Currently, the pantry has more than 60 volunteers who help in some way to ensure operations go smoothly.

However, they are always looking for additional volunteers to run local food drives, help unload food from a truck once a month, and assist by utilizing their data entry system during distribution nights. Individuals skilled in fundraising and grant writing are particularly needed.

Volunteering for her neighbors warms Speakman's heart especially when she receives thank you notes from clients such as ones that say "If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be eating."

For more information visit brpc.org/mission/gods-co-op-pantry

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