Provident Bank, a New Jersey-based financial institution, and The Provident Bank Foundation (PBF), have partnered to launch a Crisis Response Fund supporting nonprofit organizations combating food insecurity across the Bank’s footprint.
Through this initiative, Provident and PBF are jointly investing $50,000 in emergency funding, awarding $10,000 grants to five nonprofit organizations delivering critical food access programs in local communities. The funds will provide immediate support to nonprofits in Queens, Somerset, Monmouth, Lehigh and Hudson counties, helping them meet surging demand for meals, groceries and wraparound services, particularly in response to the funding gaps caused by the recent U.S. government shutdown.
“This special Crisis Response Fund is about responding quickly and compassionately to the communities that need us most,” Tony Labozzetta, president and CEO of Provident Bank, said. “As food insecurity deepens as a result of this period of uncertainty, especially as we head into the holiday season, it’s important that we stand beside our nonprofit partners who are on the front lines every day providing care and sustenance to our neighbors.”
The Crisis Response Fund will support the following organizations:
- The Salvation Army Greater New York Division (Queens County, NY) – Supporting the Astoria Community Center, which provides more than 91,000 meals annually to seniors, families and unhoused individuals.
- Franklin Food Bank (Somerset County, NJ) – Operating a Client Choice Pantry and Community Distribution Program serving 36,000 individuals each year with food, health screenings and SNAP assistance.
- Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Monmouth County (Monmouth County, NJ) – Through its Nourish Asbury Food Pantry, providing fresh, healthy and nutrient-dense groceries to 1,200 individuals weekly in Asbury Park and neighboring communities.
- Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley (Lehigh County, PA) – Supporting the Community Food Pantry, which provides supplemental food including fresh produce, shelf stable foods and personal hygiene items to more than 1,000 individuals.
- Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation (BEOF) (Hudson County, NJ) – Operating the Senior Nutrition Program and Meals on Wheels service, delivering daily meals to over 400 low-income and homebound seniors.
“We’re seeing unprecedented demand across the nonprofit community, from families struggling to put food on the table to seniors isolated and at risk,” Samantha Plotino, executive director of PBF, said. “This crisis underscores the fragility of food access systems and the strength of local organizations that respond with urgency, compassion and creativity. These funds are our way of helping them continue that vital work.”
