Provident Bank and The Provident Bank Foundation (PBF) have partnered to launch a Crisis Response Fund, investing a joint total of $50,000 to combat rising food insecurity across the Bank’s operating footprint in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
The fund will provide immediate, targeted relief by awarding $10,000 grants to five nonprofit organizations that are on the front lines of food access. This emergency funding is particularly aimed at addressing the surging demand and funding gaps caused by the recent U.S. government shutdown.
The grants are being distributed to support nonprofits delivering essential programs in five key counties: Queens (NY), Somerset (NJ), Monmouth (NJ), Lehigh (PA), and Hudson (NJ).
Tony Labozzetta, president and CEO of Provident Bank, emphasized the importance of a rapid response.
“This special Crisis Response Fund is about responding quickly and compassionately to the communities that need us most,” Labozzetta said. “As food insecurity deepens… especially as we head into the holiday season, it’s important that we stand beside our nonprofit partners who are on the front lines every day providing care and sustenance to our neighbors.”
The grants will directly support the following organizations and their critical food access programs:
-
The Salvation Army Greater New York Division (Queens County, NY): Supports the Astoria Community Center, which provides over 91,000 meals annually to seniors, families, and unhoused individuals.
-
Franklin Food Bank (Somerset County, NJ): Operates a Client Choice Pantry and Community Distribution Program, serving 36,000 individuals each year with food and social service assistance.
-
Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Monmouth County (Monmouth County, NJ): Through its Nourish Asbury Food Pantry, provides fresh, healthy groceries to 1,200 individuals weekly in Asbury Park and surrounding areas.
-
Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley (Lehigh County, PA): Supports the Community Food Pantry, which provides supplemental food, including fresh produce and personal hygiene items, to more than 1,000 individuals.
-
Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation (BEOF) (Hudson County, NJ): Manages the Senior Nutrition Program and Meals on Wheels service, delivering daily meals to over 400 low-income and homebound seniors.
Samantha Plotino, executive director of The Provident Bank Foundation, highlighted the ongoing need.
“We’re seeing unprecedented demand across the nonprofit community… This crisis underscores the fragility of food access systems and the strength of local organizations that respond with urgency, compassion, and creativity,” she said.
The initiative aims to amplify the critical work of these local organizations as household budgets remain strained and food benefits continue to be impacted in the aftermath of the shutdown.
