Engaging and supporting the community through farming, food and health:
 Reasons to donate to our Holiday Matching Grant Campaign

“You bring such joy, not just to me, but to all of US,” said senior Grange Lady Haig Rutan, one of our weekly senior shoppers at Montclair Community Farms (MCF) mobile farm stand. Every week during the growing season, the MCF mobile farm stand travels to senior centers and other locations in Montclair and the surrounding community to provide the community with fresh, local and affordable produce, which they otherwise might not have access to.  But the MCF farm stand has become more than just a place to buy fresh and affordable produce, it has become a place for seniors, youth and the community to connect. 

After a recent visit to Grange’s home at First Montclair House, she reflected on the meaning of the MCF farm stand “I must say that you bring such joy, not just to me, but to all of US. We will be sad when in two weeks we will be a faded memory and, once again, worry about eating healthy and with fresh and wonderful vegetables. You, yes you, and those lovely smiling helpers, have brought a new dimension to the start of our weekend.” Read Grange’s full story here.

For 14 year old Caroline Prentince of Montclair Fusion Academy, this was her first summer spending hours in our urban Youth Farmer program.  Beyond learning how to plan and harvest vegetables, or care for chickens, Caroline learned the meaning of the mobile farm stand to the community, “I love getting in the dirt and doing whatever I can to help. I sell produce at local senior centers.  I hear about their daily life, and they ask me questions about mine. This makes me be a part of my community…It gives me a purpose.”

Montclair Community Farms is a network of organizations, volunteers, Master Gardeners and Youth farmers that engage and educate the community in urban farming, healthy food choices and affordable food access through the MCF mobile food stand and other programs and services.  Our work at Montclair Community Farms is not possible without the support of the community and our generous donors. Consider making a contribution directly to Montclair Community Farms this holiday season.  Every dollar donated will be generously matched by Partners for Health Foundation.

 Partners for Health Foundation has launched its 5th Annual Holiday Matching Grants campaign to benefit local soup kitchens, food pantries and organizations working to address and prevent both hunger and homelessness.  The Foundation will award up to $275,000 in matching funds for donations that are made by December 31, 2018. “Since 2014, this Matching Grants program has generated close to $1 million in donations from the community, resulting in more than $1.9 million in grants,” said Pam Scott, Executive Director of the Foundation.  “It takes teamwork to address the needs of those who struggle with hunger, homelessness or the risk of becoming homeless. We’re proud that this program can do so much for our neighbors at a time when they need it most.”