September 13, 2024
Sadly, nearly a million NJ residents are facing hunger. Since 1997, the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award has recognized unsung heroes working diligently to bring greater food security to their communities. With September being Hunger Action Month, we are sharing the stories of four Honorees and how their organizations combat food insecurity and food waste. First in the series are Tanya and Matthew Veltz of Tree House Cares.
Tanya and Matthew founded Tree House Entertainment Cultural Arts Movement, a nonprofit that includes Tree House Cares and Tree House Kids, in 2017. All Tree House programs are designed to uplift residents’ lives by distributing groceries, clothing and personal necessities, hot meals, and school supplies; and organize free community holiday events, coordinate health fairs, and provide informational resources on health care, job security, housing, and more.
Since its founding, Tree House has distributed nearly 40 million pounds of food and clothing to neighbors in need throughout Newark.
“I’d already been doing community outreach work for 20 years prior to starting Tree House,” explained Tanya, who worked in health care. “In 2016 I began helping a friend who ran an afterschool program in Newark and she was feeding children and donating items the kids needed.”
Seeing how great the need for food was, Tanya decided to establish her own nonprofit organization to source donated food and distribute it to people who would otherwise go hungry. Matthew soon joined her in this vital initiative to bring fresh food and healthful pantry staples to more people in Newark and beyond.
“It’s unimaginable that people are starving in a country that’s so rich,” said Matt.
Read more on www.RussBerrieMakingADifferenceAward.com
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