Community Effort In Toms River Bringing Farm-Fresh Vegetables To Homeless

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Feeding those in need is a community effort. A new community partnership in Toms River will help provide farm-fresh vegetables to people who otherwise wouldn't have access to them.

Just Believe Inc. has received a grant from the Toms River Elks Club that it is using to purchase produce from Silverton Farms, said Paul Hulse, CEO of Just Believe Inc.

The organization, which works to help the homeless in Ocean County overcome obstacles to finding permanent housing, provides meals to more than 300 people a week as part of its outreach efforts, Hulse said.

Until recently it had received produce grants from local food pantries, but that funding recently ceased, he said.

"We were trying to figure out a way to bring it back for some of the individuals and families that we are serving throughout Ocean County," Hulse said.

Then Just Believe was awarded a $2,000 grant from the Elks Club. After a discussion, the organization is partnering with Silverton Farms, a family-owned farm in Toms River, to purchase the produce that will be distributed to the homeless and disenfranchised throughout Ocean County, Huls said.

"Keeping it local was the best avenue and helping the local farmer was the ideal thing for us to do," he said.

Just Believe and Silverton Farms marked the agreement with a photo at Silverton Farms, with some of the Just Believe volunteer staff and some homeless individuals who are trying to get back on track and want to give back to society.

"Our outreach program is designed to help people restore their dignity and feel like they’re part of society once again," Hulse said.