• 33 E. Midland Ave., #214, Paramus, NJ 07653
  • 201.614.4414

News

Read recent news from and about The Food Brigade.

For our most recent news updates, please visit our Facebook page at https://facebook.com/foodbrigadeUSA for images and descriptions.

The Food Brigade's President, Karen DeMarco, was recently recognized with a statewide honor by the New Jersey Realtors® organization in Trenton. Selecting Karen as the first-place recipient of their 2021 Good Neighbor Award, New Jersey Realtors® said, "The volunteer efforts you have demonstrated on behalf of The Food Brigade serve as a model for both Realtors® and the community at large. You are proof that Realtors® do so much more than help buy and sell property." Karen will be honored at a ceremony at the Atlantic City Convention Center in December. New Jersey Realtors® also presented The Food Brigade with a donation of $2,500.00.


New Jersey Realtors Good Neighbor Award logo

On October 6, 2021, Greater Bergen Realtors® gave its 2021 Good Neighbor Award to The Food Brigade's President, Karen DeMarco. A Realtor® with Coldwell Banker Residential Properties in Tenafly, Karen was recognized for her "extraordinary commitments to improving the quality of life in [her] local and/or global communities through volunteer community service." In addition to the award, The Food Brigade will receive a $1,000.00 donation from GBR.

Read the article here: https://www.greaterbergenrealtors.com/news/2021/10/25/assoc.-update/greater-bergen-realtors-recently-recognized-karen-demarco-with-its-good-neighbor-of-the-year-award/


Food Brigade President Karen DeMarco wins Greater Bergen Realtors

At the Tuesday, September 21, 2021 meeting of the Bergenfield Mayor & Council, the borough honored The Food Brigade for its work on behalf of Bergenfield's residents in need. With a proclamation in recognition of Hunger Action Month, the Mayor & Council presented The Food Brigade with a plaque "in grateful appreciation for your outstanding dedication and service to the Bergenfield Food Pantry and to our community."

Since the summer of 2020, The Food Brigade has been a supplier of food for a number of municipal food pantries, including Bergenfield, Dumont, and Elmwood Park.


The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Bergenfield with officers of The Food Brigade

Food Brigade President Karen DeMarco receives the New Jersey Governor's Jefferson Award on September 12, 2021

Our President has been awarded the state's highest volunteer honors, for her work in founding a local nonprofit to feed the hungry throughout the COVID pandemic.

Karen DeMarco, co-founder of The Food Brigade, received a medal as a top honoree of the New Jersey State Governor's Jefferson Award for Public Service, at a ceremony on September 12, 2021 at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey.
 
The award's origin traces back to 1972, when Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft Jr., and Samuel Beard founded the Jefferson Awards Foundation, to establish a prize for public and community service. It has been referred to as the "Nobel Prize for Public Service". The Jefferson Awards are given at both the national and state levels. Honorees of the New Jersey State Governor's Jefferson Award "achieve measurable community impact and represent outstanding acts of public service, without the expectation of recognition or compensation. Recipients demonstrate unique vision, dedication and tenacity of heroic proportion and serve as inspiration for others."
 
There were a total of 15 medals awarded to individuals across the state, plus 3 trophies given to organizations. DeMarco won top honors in the category of "Founders and Innovators".
 
DeMarco began her COVID relief efforts in the spring of last year, in response to the COVID pandemic and the resulting increase in food insecurity within our state. She started by personally cooking 1,800 meals in her Dumont kitchen for the sick, elderly, unemployed, and homeless. DeMarco soon expanded to food box distribution via contactless "drive through" operations, co-founding The Food Brigade in the fall of 2020. The extent of her organization's reach spread as she ultimately coordinated a cooperative network of roughly 30 other distribution partners to get food to those dealing with food insecurity - local pantries, women's shelters, churches, and other charitable groups and agencies. Between October 1, 2020 and July 1, 2021, The Food Brigade distributed over 2.3 million pounds of food for New Jersey residents in need.
 
"This acknowledgment is really a testament to our volunteers," said DeMarco. "None of the work of The Food Brigade would be possible without the time, efforts, and hearts of fellow New Jerseyans who support our mission. This Jefferson Award belongs to all of them as well."
 

Food Brigade President Karen DeMarco receives the New Jersey Governor's Jefferson Award on September 12, 2021

The Food Brigade recently reached another major milestone in our hunger relief efforts: 2,316,340 pounds of food distributed (1,158 tons) for those in need in northern New Jersey and southern New York State over the past 9 months.
 
While not an occasion to be celebrated, rather this 2-million-pound mark is a sobering indicator of the extent to which food insecurity continues to exist in our area.
 
Thank you to all of our donors, volunteers, and distribution partners who have supported our mission and selflessly worked alongside us with a common purpose, all of us keeping our "eyes on the prize". We firmly believe that many more people suffering from food insecurity can be helped when we all work TOGETHER, in a spirit of cooperation; that is why we pursue our mission through true collaboration and partnership, both internally and within our network of distribution partners. The aim should always - and only - be to help the greatest number of people possible.
 
2.3 million pounds of food distributed

On Friday, June 25, 2021, The Food Brigade delivered 100 meals to the Norwood Food Pantry donated by Sweetgreen in Hackensack, courtesy of Table to Table and their new food rescue app. Pictured from left to right: Karen DeMarco, President of The Food Brigade; Joanne Scalpello, Director of the Norwood Food Pantry; and Rev. James V. Petroccione of the Church of the Holy Communion in Norwood.

The Food Brigade assists the Norwood Food Pantry

Food insecurity continues to be a problem for many in Bergen County and across New Jersey. That's why we are pleased to announce that we recently received funds from the Community FoodBank of New Jersey's Network Investment Initiative, made possible with lead funding from the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund and its partners, to help us in the areas of capacity and winterization.
 
The Food Brigade Inc. is a proud partner of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.
 
CFBNJ logo

The Food Brigade recently received a generous grant from First Commerce Bank. They also organized a food drive at their Closter branch to help stock the shelves of our pantry, with their "Shred Hunger" paper shredding event. First Commerce Bank also has local branches in Englewood, Montvale, and Teaneck. Thank you, First Commerce Bank, for supporting our efforts to help the food insecure in northern New Jersey!

First Commerce Bank logo

The Food Brigade will be a panelist at the NEW JERSEY HUNGER SUMMIT, hosted by NJCU, on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. We are honored to have been invited to represent our region in this important statewide symposium on food insecurity. We will be presenting at 11:00 for the "Innovation and Sustainability" session, and then sharing info & answering questions at 12:00 for the breakout roundtable discussions. Featured panelists include Craig Caughlin, Speaker of the NJ Assembly; Carlos Rodriguez, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey; and Adele LaTourette, Director of Hunger Free New Jersey.

New Jersey Hunger Summit flyer

The Food Brigade recently awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to Nancy and Bob Meyer, for their generous $5,000.00 donation (in addition to their volunteer efforts on our behalf). Thank you, Nancy & Bob, for your support, which makes our hunger relief work possible! Pictured, left to right: Karen DeMarco, Food Brigade President; Nancy and Bob Meyer.

leading donors of The Food Brigade

Our President, Karen DeMarco, has been commended by the New Jersey State Legislature for her service to the residents of Bergen County and northern New Jersey.
 
In a Joint Resolution of the State Senate and the General Assembly in Trenton, sponsored by Senator Holly Schepisi and Assemblyman Robert Auth, Karen was recognized for "her outstanding efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic". Calling Karen a "tireless champion of her fellow citizens with a long history of charity", the Legislature acknowledged her "feats of extraordinary kindness and understanding", calling her "a model to emulate and a standard of excellence toward which others might strive". The resolution saluted her formation of The Food Brigade and its "giving more than 1 million pounds of food to those in need".
 
"It is altogether proper and fitting for this Legislature to pause in its deliberations to acknowledge Karen DeMarco as a woman of strong character and exceptional determination. Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: That this Legislature hereby lauds Karen DeMarco, pays tribute to her meritorious record of service, leadership, and commitment, and extends sincere best wishes for her continued success and happiness."
 
Food Brigade President Karen DeMarco

We at The Food Brigade are committed to supporting our network partners, and to helping to keep life as safe as possible for survivors of domestic violence and their families.
 
"We cannot thank you enough for your support of our center during a very difficult 2020. Your weekly donations of cases of fresh food, including dairy products, juices, fruits, vegetables, meats, and frozen foods has eased food insecurity within our community. Your donation actively works to make life better for those in Bergen County who are affected by domestic violence." ~ Center for Hope & Safety (formerly "Shelter Our Sisters")
 
letter from Center for Hope & Safety

The Food Brigade in the news: https://patch.com/new-jersey/newmilford-nj/bergen-nonprofit-offers-free-prepackaged-meals-those-need.

Excerpt: "It's a win-win situation," said Karen DeMarco, President and Co-Founder of The Food Brigade. "Local restaurants that have been struggling due to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 shutdown will be able to get an influx of cash, to help keep their businesses afloat. And families and individuals who have been dealing with food insecurity will be able to receive delicious restaurant-prepared meals for free."

Food Brigade volunteers distribute prepackaged restaurant meals to those in need

Rev. Michelle White with Pres. Karen DeMarco

On Wednesday, March 3, 2021, The Food Brigade shared some of our resources with a fellow hunger relief charity, the Hope & Love Food Pantry of Christ Episcopal Church in Teaneck. The donation consisted of 120 jars of Rao's pasta sauce, a case of tomatoes, a case of mushrooms, a case of peppers, and packages of English muffins. We also donated PPE, including 250 adult disposable face masks, 250 children's disposable face masks, and 50 protective face shields.

Thank you to Rev. Michelle White, Johanna Keyser, and the rest of the wonderful volunteers at Christ Episcopal Church for the amazing work you do in supporting the people of Teaneck and the surrounding area. (Pictured: Rev. Michelle White, Pastor of Christ Episcopal Church; Karen DeMarco, President of The Food Brigade Inc.)

Rev. Michelle White and Pres. Karen DeMarco

On Thursday, February 25, 2021, The Food Brigade reached a major milestone in our hunger relief efforts: 1,034,802 pounds of food distributed (517 tons) to those in need in northern New Jersey and southern New York State over the past 5 months. While not an event to be celebrated, this million-pound milestone is a sobering indicator of the extent of the need that continues to exist during this pandemic. Thank you to all of our donors, volunteers, and distribution partners who have supported our mission since its humble beginnings last spring.

1,000,000 pounds of food distributed

On Thursday, February 18 and Friday, February 19, The Food Brigade distributed 44,640 pounds of food, plus 816 gallons of milk and 153 half-gallons of chocolate milk, through our network of Distribution Partners. Thank you to our volunteers and to our Distribution Partners for braving the storm to help feed the food insecure in northern New Jersey and southern New York.

Our recipients included: Dumont Social Services & Food Pantry in Dumont, NJ; the Bergenfield NJ Food Pantry; the Center for Hope and Safety shelter for women and children and its safe houses; Christ Episcopal Church in Teaneck, NJ; the Father English Community Center food pantry in Paterson, NJ; the Tenafly Senior Center in Tenafly, NJ; American Eagle Food Pantry of Northern New Jersey in Lodi, NJ; Strangers Helping Strangers in Garfield, NJ; Families for Families in Wyckoff, NJ; Tri-Arc Community Development Corp. in Hackensack, NJ & Teaneck, NJ; St Andrew's Church in Westwood, NJ; Calvary United Methodist Church in Dumont, NJ; Spring Valley United Methodist Church in Spring Valley, NY; Grace and Truth Community Church in Dumont, NJ; First United Methodist Church in Ridgefield Park, NJ; and Built Together in Christ Church in Dumont, NJ.

VIDEO: https://fb.watch/8m2Mi-3zRN/

For more information, plus photos from the day's operations, please visit https://www.facebook.com/foodbrigadeUSA/posts/227435119089910

Food Brigade volunteers distribute food in the snow


a Food Brigade operation in progress

On Wednesday & Thursday, January 27 & 28, 2021, The Food Brigade distributed 74,700 pounds of food, plus 1,430 gallons of milk and 408 half-gallons of chocolate milk, to food-insecure families in Northern New Jersey and Southeastern New York.

Our recipients included:

  • families & individuals using our drive-through food distribution operations in Dumont, NJ and Teaneck, NJ, and our home delivery service to those without cars;
  • the Dumont, NJ Food Pantry;
  • the Bergenfield NJ Food Pantry;
  • the Social Service Association of Ridgewood, which serves the communities of Glen Rock, Ho-Ho-Kus, Midland Park, Ridgewood, Waldwick, and Wyckoff, NJ;
  • Father English Community Center food pantry in Paterson, NJ;
  • the Center for Hope & Safety shelter for women and children (formerly "Shelter Our Sisters") and its safe houses;
  • Christ Episcopal Church food pantry in Teaneck, NJ;
  • Our Community Dinner Table in Palisades Park, NJ;
  • the Tenafly Senior Center in Tenafly, NJ;
  • Vantage Health System Group Homes in Ridgefield Park, Teaneck, and Bergenfield, NJ;
  • N.J. Food & Clothing Rescue in Little Ferry;
  • American Eagle Food Pantry in Lodi, NJ;
  • Families for Families in Wyckoff, NJ;
  • Tri-Arc Community Development Corp. in Hackensack, NJ & Teaneck, NJ;
  • Strangers Helping Strangers in Garfield, NJ;
  • St. Andrew's R.C. Church in Westwood, NJ;
  • Calvary United Methodist Church in Dumont, NJ;
  • Spring Valley United Methodist Church in Spring Valley, NY;
  • Church of the Good Shepherd in Bergenfield, NJ;
  • Grace and Truth Community Church in Dumont, NJ;
  • First United Methodist Church in Ridgefield Park, NJ; and
  • Built Together in Christ Church in Dumont, NJ.

Our delivery drivers traveled to 17 different towns in 3 counties to bring food to those in need who lacked transportation to get to our distribution sites.

For more information, plus photos from the day's operations, please visit https://www.facebook.com/foodbrigadeUSA/posts/214452997054789


a Food Brigade operation in progress


a Food Brigade operation in progress

On Wednesday & Thursday, January 20 & 21, 2021, The Food Brigade distributed 70,200 pounds of food, plus 1,614 gallons of milk, to food-insecure families in Northern New Jersey and Southeastern New York.

Our recipients included:

  • families & individuals using our drive-through food distribution operation in Dumont, NJ and Teaneck, NJ, and our home delivery service to those without cars;
  • the Dumont, NJ Food Pantry;
  • the Bergenfield NJ Food Pantry;
  • the Social Service Association of Ridgewood, which serves the communities of Glen Rock, Ho-Ho-Kus, Midland Park, Ridgewood, Waldwick, and Wyckoff, NJ;
  • Father English Community Center food pantry in Paterson, NJ;
  • the Center for Hope & Safety shelter for women and children (formerly "Shelter Our Sisters") and its safe houses;
  • Christ Episcopal Church food pantry in Teaneck, NJ;
  • Our Community Dinner Table in Palisades Park, NJ;
  • the Tenafly Senior Center in Tenafly, NJ;
  • Vantage Health System Group Homes in Ridgefield Park, Teaneck, and Bergenfield, NJ;
  • N.J. Food & Clothing Rescue in Little Ferry;
  • American Eagle Food Pantry in Lodi, NJ;
  • Families for Families in Wyckoff, NJ;
  • Tri-Arc Community Development Corp. in Hackensack, NJ & Teaneck, NJ;
  • Strangers Helping Strangers in Garfield, NJ;
  • St. Andrew's R.C. Church in Westwood, NJ;
  • Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Leonia, NJ;
  • Calvary United Methodist Church in Dumont, NJ;
  • Spring Valley United Methodist Church in Spring Valley, NY;
  • Church of the Good Shepherd in Bergenfield, NJ;
  • Grace and Truth Community Church in Dumont, NJ;
  • First United Methodist Church in Ridgefield Park, NJ; and
  • Built Together in Christ Church in Dumont, NJ.

For more information, plus photos from the day's operations, please visit https://www.facebook.com/foodbrigadeUSA/posts/209788040854618

On Friday, January 22, 2021, The Food Brigade provided meat, cheese, and milk for distribution to Dumont residents in need through the Dumont Social Services & Food Pantry. The delivery included:

  • 26 whole chickens
  • 100 lbs. of ham
  • 4 large boxes of cheese
  • 12 half-gallons of milk, 3 gallons of milk, & 3 half-gallons of chocolate milk.

food distribution by The Food Brigade


a Food Brigade operation in progress

On Wednesday & Thursday, January 13 & 14, 2021, The Food Brigade distributed 72,450 pounds of food, plus 1,420 gallons of milk and 234 half-gallons of chocolate milk, to food-insecure families in Northern New Jersey and Southeastern New York.

Our recipients included:

  • families & individuals using our drive-through food distribution operation in Dumont, NJ and Teaneck, NJ, and our home delivery service to those without cars;
  • the Dumont, NJ Food Pantry;
  • the Bergenfield NJ Food Pantry;
  • the Social Service Association of Ridgewood, which serves the communities of Glen Rock, Ho-Ho-Kus, Midland Park, Ridgewood, Waldwick, and Wyckoff, NJ;
  • Father English Community Center food pantry in Paterson, NJ;
  • the Center for Hope & Safety shelter for women and children (formerly "Shelter Our Sisters") and its safe houses;
  • Christ Episcopal Church food pantry in Teaneck, NJ;
  • the Tenafly Senior Center in Tenafly, NJ;
  • Vantage Health System Group Homes in Ridgefield Park, Teaneck, and Bergenfield, NJ;
  • N.J. Food & Clothing Rescue in Little Ferry;
  • American Eagle Food Pantry in Lodi, NJ;
  • Families for Families in Wyckoff, NJ;
  • Tri-Arc Community Development Corp. in Hackensack, NJ & Teaneck, NJ;
  • Strangers Helping Strangers in Garfield, NJ;
  • St. Andrew's R.C. Church in Westwood, NJ;
  • Calvary United Methodist Church in Dumont, NJ;
  • Spring Valley United Methodist Church in Spring Valley, NY;
  • Church of the Good Shepherd in Bergenfield, NJ;
  • Grace and Truth Community Church in Dumont, NJ;
  • First United Methodist Church in Ridgefield Park, NJ;
  • Built Together in Christ Church in Dumont, NJ; and
  • Connex4NPO in Westwood, NJ.

For more information, plus photos from the day's operations, please visit https://www.facebook.com/foodbrigadeUSA/posts/205118067988282


a Food Brigade operation in progress


a Food Brigade operation in progress

On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, The Food Brigade distributed 67,275 pounds of food, plus 1,204 gallons of milk and 228 half-gallons of chocolate milk, to food-insecure families in Northern New Jersey and Southeastern New York.

Our recipients included:

  • families & individuals using our drive-through food distribution operation in Dumont, and our home delivery service to those without cars;
  • the Dumont, NJ Food Pantry;
  • the Bergenfield NJ Food Pantry;
  • the Social Service Association of Ridgewood, which serves the communities of Glen Rock, Ho-Ho-Kus, Midland Park, Ridgewood, Waldwick, and Wyckoff, NJ;
  • Father English Community Center food pantry in Paterson, NJ;
  • the Center for Hope & Safety shelter for women and children (formerly "Shelter Our Sisters") and its safe houses;
  • Christ Episcopal Church food pantry in Teaneck, NJ;
  • the Tenafly Senior Center in Tenafly, NJ;
  • Vantage Health System Group Homes in Ridgefield Park, Teaneck, and Bergenfield, NJ;
  • N.J. Food & Clothing Rescue in Little Ferry;
  • American Eagle Food Pantry in Lodi, NJ;
  • Families for Families in Wyckoff, NJ;
  • Strangers Helping Strangers in Garfield, NJ;
  • Rise To Inspire Ministries in Palisades Park, NJ;
  • Nuevas Buenas Church in Washington Heights, NYC;
  • St. Andrew's R.C. Church in Westwood, NJ;
  • Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Leonia, NJ;
  • Calvary United Methodist Church in Dumont, NJ;
  • Spring Valley United Methodist Church in Spring Valley, NY;
  • Church of the Good Shepherd in Bergenfield, NJ;
  • Grace and Truth Community Church in Dumont, NJ;
  • First United Methodist Church in Ridgefield Park, NJ;
  • Built Together in Christ Church in Dumont, NJ; and
  • Connex4NPO in Westwood, NJ.

For more information, plus photos from the day's operations, please visit https://www.facebook.com/foodbrigadeUSA/posts/200503698449719


a Food Brigade operation in progress

Late in the afternoon on Friday, November 20, 2020, The Food Brigade learned that the Dumont School District had informed parents that the district was discontinuing its free lunch program for Dumont's school children for a period of two weeks while the schools were closed due to COVID. The Food Brigade immediately sprang into action to fill the void and make sure that every child attending the Dumont public schools would still receive a free lunch during that period. On Monday, November 23, the Brigade held a drive-through food distribution operation at Calvary United Methodist Church, providing boxes of food to over 300 families of Dumont school children. This free student lunch distribution was the focus of a video report by NorthJersey.com / The Record.
 


a Food Brigade operation in progress

Late Friday afternoon on November 20, 2020, The Food Brigade learned that the Dumont School District had informed parents that the district was discontinuing its free lunch program for Dumont's school children for a period of two weeks while the schools were closed due to COVID. The Food Brigade immediately sprang into action to fill the void and make sure that every child attending the Dumont public schools would still receive a free lunch during that period.

On Monday, November 23, we held a drive-through food distribution operation at Calvary United Methodist Church, providing boxes of food to over 300 families of Dumont school children.

For more information, plus photos from the day's operations, please visit https://www.facebook.com/foodbrigadeUSA/posts/165851098581646

Page 2 of 2