Community Corner
The Food Brigade partners with Bergen's Promise to fight hunger
The two local nonprofits team up to provide supermarket gift cards to Bergen County families dealing with food insecurity
![Pictured, l-r: Carmine DeMarco (Vice President) & Karen DeMarco (President) of The Food Brigade; Dean Pastras (CEO) & Shelisa Foster (COO) of Bergen's Promise](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22904666/20210923/124047/styles/patch_image/public/bergens-promise___23123613153.jpg)
HACKENSACK, N.J. - On Friday, September 17, The Food Brigade donated $5,000.00 worth of ACME supermarket gift cards to Bergen's Promise, at the latter's offices in Hackensack. The cards will be distributed to Bergen's Promise clients with children in school.
"We are very grateful for The Food Brigade's generous donation of ACME gift cards," said Shelisa Foster, MA, LPC, NCC, who is Chief Operating Officer of Bergen's Promise. "This will assist a number of families we serve who are experiencing challenges with food insecurities."
"We're pleased to join forces with Bergen's Promise, to assist even more Bergen County families dealing with food insecurity," said Karen DeMarco, President of The Food Brigade. "We knew that part of the mission of Bergen's Promise is to put together an array of services to benefit a child's growth, and to foster their future success. Food security plays a critical role in a child's development and well-being, so this partnership seemed like a perfect match."
Find out what's happening in New Milfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Food Brigade has distributed approximately 3 million pounds of food over the past year, to help those in need in northern New Jersey. Although the organization services its own clients, since its inception its operations have also included supporting other food pantries, hunger-relief groups, and social service organizations - now including Bergen's Promise.
"We are thrilled to The Food Brigade's support and look forward to an ongoing partnership which embraces the collaborative principles of Wraparound and champions our mission of Healthy Families, Safe at Home," added Ms. Foster. "The Food Brigade truly makes a difference for Bergen County families."