Meals are prepared in a kitchen for Ocean County senior citizens. (Photo: Ocean County Meals on Wheels)
Brick officials awarded checks to a dozen local nonprofit organizations at a meeting of the township council Tuesday night, with the largest awards going to Ocean County Meals on Wheels and the St. Vincent DePaul Society of Epiphany Roman Catholic Church.
The checks, which range from $1,000 to $8,000, are sourced from funding the township receives as part of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Services Program. The checks will assist the organizations, which submitted applications and were selected by the township, in providing a wide variety of services to the public in our community.
Meals on Wheels has been the recipient of funding from Brick for 19 years, said James Sigurdson, executive director of the countywide organization. This year, the organization was given $7,000.
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“We haven’t had a waiting list in a very long time, and we don’t have one now,” said Sigurdson, who recalled explaining the program to former Mayor Joseph C. Scarpelli in 2000, when there was a waiting list in place and some seniors did without daily meal deliveries. “The citizens of Brick ought to be proud that this mayor and council continue the tradition that we started almost 20 years ago.”
Sigurdson said the organization provided more than 31,000 meals to 308 seniors from Brick in 2018.
“We take the money we receive like this generous donation from the township and put it back into Brick,” he said.
At $8,000, the Epiphany Church St. Vincent DePaul Society was the largest recipient of funds this year. The money will go toward a program in which volunteers provide counseling to those in need to manage housing expenses and provide financial assistance to cover food, clothing, utilities and rent.
Those seeking information on the St. Vincent DePaul program can call 732-458-0220.
Other awards include:
Church of the Visitation $3,200
The Church of the Visitation on Mantoloking Road hosts a community lunch on the third Wednesday of each month. Lunches are free and available from 12pm-1pm. For more information call 732-255-2835.
CONTACT of Ocean and Monmouth Counties $3,200
CONTACT of Ocean & Monmouth Counties is a non-profit, charitable organization that provides trained telephone listeners who respond to human needs 24-hours a day. They offer free confidential crisis intervention, information on available resources and referral to community services. For more information call 732-240-6104. Their crisis hotline can be reached at 732-240-6100 or 609-693-5834.
Dottie’s House $3,200
Dottie’s House provides transitional housing for victims of domestic violence and their children. These grant funds will help offset the operating costs for the transitional housing facility. They may be reached at 732-295-7380.
Interfaith Hospitality Network of Ocean County $3,200
There are times when families face becoming homeless because of personal, financial or medical reasons. Interfaith Homeless Assistance provides a safety net program for Brick Township residents who face becoming homeless. They may be reached at 732-736-1550.
Ocean’s Harbor House $3,200
Ocean’s Harbor House provides free short-term shelter and crisis intervention for male and female youth ages 10-17. Any youth who is homeless, has runaway, been thrown away or abused, or is otherwise in need of immediate intervention may find help 24 hours a day at this safe haven. Their Shelter Services 24 Hours/Day Hotline is 732-929-0660 and their Outreach Center phone number is 732-929-0096.
Providence House $3,200
A division of Catholic Charities, Providence House provides a wide variety of services related to preventing domestic violence and assisting its victims. For many years, the Township has worked with Providence House to fight domestic violence in our community. Providence House may be reached at 732-350-2120.
The Arc, Ocean County Chapter $3,200
The Arc, Ocean County Chapter advocates for, provides supports and empowers children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families, ensuring they are accepted and valued as citizens of our community. The Arc does this through vocational, recreational, family support, residential, transportation and primary medical care programs. Their phone number is 732-363-3335 ext. 115.
Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey $3,000
Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey is a non-profit interfaith organization that provides volunteers to assist frail elderly with simple daily tasks enabling them to live, with dignity, where they are most comfortable – in their own homes. And there is never a charge for help provided! Their phone number is 732-505-2273.
Jersey Shore Council Boy Scouts of America $3,000
Jersey Shore Council, Boy Scouts of America, headquartered in Toms River, serves more than 6,000 young people in four Jersey Shore counties: Atlantic, Ocean, Southeast Burlington and Ocean City in Cape May County. It is among the largest youth serving organizations in the state of New Jersey led by approximately 2,000 volunteers. For more information call 732-349-1037.
STEPS $1,000
STEPS (Solutions to End Poverty Soon) works to solve the problems of poverty including lack of affordable housing, food instability, access to health care and decent wages. For more information call 732-367-1640.
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