Projects

GRACE stands for Giving and Receiving Assistance for our Community’s Essentials.

Going without basic necessities and food insecurity sound unlikely in an affluent town such as Summit.  In 2016 Summit’s Assistant Superintendent reported that 15% of all enrolled students in the Summit Schools are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.  The Summit Schools’ administration believes this number is underreported.  Three of Summit’s five elementary schools have Title I status.  A Title I school receives federal funding due to high numbers or high percentages of students from low-income families.  In addition, only one Summit elementary school qualifies for the federally funded breakfast program. All of the Summit schools have students in need of free breakfast.

The Junior League of Summit along with the Connection and the United Way researched the issue of food insecurity and the local agencies who help food-insecure families.  We gathered key groups (The Interfaith Council, SHIP, the Connection, the YMCA, the United Way, and the Department of Community Programs) and formed No Kid Goes Hungry in 07901, now known as GRACE.

GRACE currently serves over 511 families per week since with fresh and shelf-stable foods and essentials. Click here to learn more about GRACE

To support this effort, please contact Amanda Block at (917)517-3203 or nokidhungryin07901@gmail.com.

GRACE is now a 501(c)(3) organization.  Donations can be made by check by contacting Amanda Block or by credit card by visting https://summitcommunityprograms.com/444/GRACE .   This year, the JLS will explore and implement needs-based programming centered on emerging community priorities.