Hudson County Executive Craig Guy and state Senator Raj Mukherji (D-32) announced a combined $2.8 million to provide food pantry and affordable housing upgrades at the Hoboken Community Center.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
“Five years ago, the Hoboken Community Center had no pantry. Today, we serve over 4,300 registered families throughout Hudson County,” Hoboken Community Center Board Secretary Toni Tomarazzo said.
Specifically, the center secured a $1.8 million county grant to bring an expanded food pantry to Hoboken. In addition, $1 million in state funds was secured by Mukherji for repairs and expansion needs of their affordable housing units.
Tomarazzo added the funds will allow them to add 10 affordable housing units to the complex, as well to allow the existing 96 single low-income residents to keep their homes – as well as expand their center’s reach to the Jersey City Heights.
She contained that they provide emergency food twice a month, along with diapers and hygiene products that are not covered by SNAP benefits.
“When we started, we were … a building with nothing in it. Together with the mayor and the council and the office of emergency management, we put together a program that delivered food to 400 needy families at the height of the COVID pandemic,” Tomarazzo explained.
Hudson County Board of Commissioners Chair Anthony Romano (D-5) noted that Guy made it a priority to fund this operation, recalling that the county is working on bringing a food pantry to Bayonne.
“It’s not just talking the talk. This is walking the walk … The Hoboken Community Center will help a larger number of Hoboken and Hudson County residents that are in need of housing and food security during a time when affordability is a huge problem for many individuals and families,” he stated.
“I am thrilled beyond being that we can take a look at these renderings and put some meat on the bone,” Guy said.
He explained that addressing hunger is a significant issue for him, thanking Tomarazzo for her efforts locally, as well as Mukherji for what he was able to accomplish on the state level.
Guy also pointed out that the new food pantry will be over 5,000 square feet and provide a range of fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, and toiletries to the needy.
“My administration is focused on the rising cost of living, and this funding will help address affordability issues that many Hudson County residents face, specifically food insecurity,” he said in a statement after the event.
“As your county executive, it is my priority to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep the Center’s kitchen stocked with food and make sure its clients have a warm, safe space to call home.”
Mukherji also expressed enthusiasm about the endeavors they are supporting today.
“At a time when there is a war on empathy and compassion going on in Washington, D.C., empathy and compassion are alive and well here in Hoboken, New Jersey,” Mukherji declared.
“The folks doing shifts at the food pantry and the community center restore my faith in humanity … Compassion and empathy are not bad things. They merit resources.
2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour, who are both running for mayor, 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen, and Councilwoman-at-Large Joe Quintero also attended the event.
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who is running for a state Assembly seat in the 32nd Legislative District, was not present, more than likely due to the ongoing Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) civil war.
Guy, also the HCDO chair, and Mukherji are backing Hoboken Public Library Director Jennie Pu and Jersey City Director of Buildings and Street Maintenance Crystal Fonseca in the June 10th Democratic primary for Assembly in LD-32.
