By Christina Leslie | Staff Writer

Children from low-income families in the City of Trenton, one of the poorest cities in the state, face difficult challenges throughout the year.  But during the summer months, when such assistance programs as school-subsidized breakfasts and lunches are no longer available, the struggles are compounded for these children, leaving many with not enough to eat. Mount Carmel Guild, the diocesan-based agency which dedicates itself  to the needs of the poor in and around the city, is responding to this seasonal need with Feeding Family Fridays, its food distribution program that aims to bridge the hunger gap for poverty stricken youth during the summer months.

Grim statistics

Documented need for such a program is great. The annual “Poverty Benchmarks” report, compiled by the Legal Services of New Jersey’s Poverty Research Institute, examines the impact of poverty in the lives of those who dwell in all 21 counties of the state. The latest report, released in September of last year which examines data from 2011, notes that poverty in N.J. reached a record high not seen for the past 50 years, with children bearing the heaviest brunt.

In 2011, 17 N.J. municipalities had a total population exceeding 65,000 people; in six of these high-density places, more than half of the residents lived in households with incomes below $47,700 for a family of four. Camden City (64.5 percent), Passaic (59.5 percent) and Lakewood (55.9 percent) occupy the top three positions.

“Newark is at 50.4 percent, and Trenton is worse: at 51.5 percent,” noted Marie Gladney, the guild’s executive director. “We are chomping at the heels of Paterson [53.5 percent]; we are one of the top five.”

When the data examines the fate of the littlest denizens of these areas, poverty levels are significantly higher. In seven of the largest municipalities, more than 60 percent of children were living in poverty. Trenton again surpassed Newark and stands at 66.3 percent. “That shouldn’t be,” Gladney said firmly.

Mount Carmel Guild steps in

Enter the efforts of a small, yet dedicated, workforce in the Mount Carmel Guild, whose mission statement is to “enhance the life of those in need: body, mind and spirit.”

For more than 90 years, the Guild has served the poor and needy of Mercer County from its Italianate structure on Trenton’s North Clinton Avenue. Many of the households that benefit from the services have one or more working adults, yet struggle to make ends meet. In addition to aid with utility bills and filling prescriptions, last year, the guild served 8,039 households, totaling 18,498 people, by distributing 20,199 bags of food at an estimated valuation of $605,970.

The organization’s Feeding Family Fridays program, which runs from late June to late August, invites eligible families to visit the guild facility on early Friday mornings and pick up a three- to five-day supply of breakfast and luncheon food items. The foods, all geared toward a kid-friendly, yet healthy diet, include proteins such as chicken, hot dogs or hamburgers; juice boxes and shelf-stable milk; bags of baby carrots, cereal, peanut butter, bread and other essentials.

Mount Carmel Guild caseworker, Anne Casale, described the program’s value to both children and their parents, noting, “The children who come with their moms for our Feeding Family Friday program are excited to be here because we offer a hands-on healthy eating presentation… We also provide a small summer toy or book for them to choose. The moms are appreciative of the extra healthy food packages they receive from us which helps them to provide some healthy meals for their kids.”

Daughter of Charity Sister Joanne Dress, diocesan executive director of Catholic social services, added, “Mount Carmel Guild’s program is a wonderful example of the guild’s awareness of special family needs in the community during the summer and a creative response.”

The majority of the food distributed during the FFF originates from the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, Ewing; Farmers Against Hunger, Trenton, and area food chain stores such as Panera Bread and Trader Joe’s. Donations from individuals, schools, parishes and small businesses also are accepted. “We distribute what’s available or in season,” Gladney continued, listing peaches, blueberries and fresh fruit as among the items donated by local farmers.

Costs are steep but hunger is pervasive

Now in its second year, the FFF program runs between $12,000 and $15,000 and serves about 200 children. To supplement budgetary funds, Gladney’s self-dubbed “aggressive” grant writing campaign resulted in a $9,000 grant from the F.I.S.H. Foundation, Inc., Plainsboro, a non-profit philanthropic agency which assists the poor with medical, educational and spiritual needs while touching their lives in a Christ-centered way. Clients come from suburban towns such as Lawrence, Ewing and Hamilton in addition to Trenton.

“People suffering from hunger are all around. It could be someone sitting next to you on the bus. It could be someone sitting next to you in the pew on Sunday morning,” Gladney said. “They keep it to themselves.”

The Mount Carmel Guild is a 501 (c)(3) tax deductible organization. It accepts donations of food, grocery gift cards and money, and volunteers willing to answer phones, update computer files and stock the shelves are always welcome. Contact the guild at 609-392-5159 or see mtcarmelguild.org.