Photo: Getty Images
A new food pantry, Food for HOPE, has opened in Rockaway, on the property of Christ Church off Green Pond Road. This pantry is part of a $30 million community care center project by Christ Church, aimed at providing various social services to those in need. The 10,000-square-foot pantry is capable of serving 500 families each month and is part of the CARE Center of New Jersey, a program within the IMPACT Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit subsidiary of Christ Church.
According to Daily Record, the pantry also includes a fleet of delivery trucks designed to serve food desert communities throughout New Jersey. David Ireland, CEO and founder of the CARE Center, stated, "Food insecurity isn’t just about meals — it’s about dignity, opportunity, and a future where no family has to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table."
The pantry is located within the church's 130,000-square-foot facility and allows guests to visit twice a month to stock up on fresh produce, bread, canned goods, and meat for free. NJ.com reports that the center aims to serve 500 people monthly and thousands more through mobile food units.
The CARE Center of New Jersey has been actively meeting the needs of low-income families for five years, providing nutritious food and other essential services. The church's Rockaway campus, built on a 107-acre former Agilent Technologies property, also plans to offer mental health counseling, legal services, and career preparation. More information about the pantry and how to access its services is available on the CARE Center's website.