Newark NJ’s Bessie Green Community Responds to the Current Crisis
We are a non-profit operation out of North Reformed Church. Our big claim to fame has been our response to Covid-19. When our new leadership team took over in February, Bessie Green was serving a small community of 40 people. Hot meals were served on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Our clothing barn and food pantry operated within our soup kitchen hours. Each week we would help 150 people from our three services.
Once Newark was placed in lockdown, our response was immediate. We began by changing operations to fit the CDC and Newark Public Health guidelines. Meals were to go, with pantry bags and clothing available upon request.
Once the practices were in place, we expanded our food service from three to five days per week for the public. At this time, we accepted a contract to help previously incarcerated persons isolated with Covid-19 in a hotel with hot meals. This service required us to have meals available on Saturday and Sunday.
Today we serve at least 120 people daily on our slow days. Our busiest days bring in above 400.
If you have any other questions about our operation, please feel free to ask.
Noah S. Busker, Director of Development, Bessie Green Community, Inc.
To learn more about the Bessie Green Community and the crucial services they are providing, visit their website or social media pages at the links below:
https://www.facebook.com/bessiegreen510/
https://www.instagram.com/bessie_green_community/
You can also donate online at: http://bessiegreen.org/donations/336/
