The CARE Center of NJ opens 10,000-square-foot facility in Morris County for HOPE pantry, unveils new delivery truck fleet

ROCKAWAY, NJ (Morris County) –The CARE Center of NJ (CCNJ) held two ribbon-cutting ceremonies on Thursday, marking the opening of the facility’s new Food for HOPE pantry space and the launch of CCNJ’s fleet of trucks that will deliver food to food desert communities throughout New Jersey.

The new 10,000 square-foot food pantry, located inside CCNJ’s sprawling 130,000 square-foot facility, now allows guests to visit two times each month to stock up on fresh produce, bread, canned goods, meat, and more, at no cost. The goal is to help 500 families per month on-site and thousands more via the mobile food units. At present, CCNJ is fundraising to fully renovate its facility, which, once completed, will enable a significant expansion of the services offered, including a larger food pantry.

Also celebrated was the launch of CCNJ’s fleet of trucks, consisting of a customized, refrigerated 24-ft. box truck, a refrigerated van featuring a high roof for increased cargo capacity, and a pickup truck with a large payload capacity and cutting-edge technology designed for the efficient transport of food and supplies to communities in need. This new fleet will enable the Food for HOPE program to expand its distribution efforts to all 50 food deserts designated by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) across the state.

Speaking at Thursday’s ribbon cuttings, Dr. David Ireland, CEO and founder of CCNJ, said, “Food insecurity isn’t just about meals—it’s about dignity, opportunity, and a future where no family has to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table. Food for HOPE is a promise to the people of New Jersey that no one should go hungry.”

New Jersey Senator Britnee Timberlake, Elizabeth McCarthy, President and CEO, Community Food Bank of New Jersey, and Rockaway Township’s mayor Joe Jackson also spoke at the ribbon cutting, which was attended by nearly 100 community leaders.

Senator Timberlake said, “When we look at what’s happening in our country right now, where the budget that is funding organizations that are distributing food to feed those who are hungry are being slashed, we are in dangerous times. To be on the front line, we are not going to stop reaching into every corner of New Jersey and be there when someone is in need.”

“All people in the State of New Jersey should have access at all times to the healthy, nutritious and culturally relevant foods that they need,” said Elizabeth McCarthy, President and CEO, Community Food Bank of New Jersey. “And that is why today, these two moments [the opening of the food pantry and launch of the truck fleet] are so important.”

Now in its 5^th year, CCNJ’s Food for HOPE program provides low-income and resource-deprived families consistent access to nutritious foods so every person in the household can live an active and healthy lifestyle. It is one of more than fifteen community, health, and family support services and programs offered by The CARE Center of New Jersey.

To date, the program has provided much needed food to residents of 12 New Jersey counties through home deliveries and pop-up pantries in Rockaway and Montclair. Every November, CCNJ also holds a Thanksgiving food distribution whereby 40 tons of food (80,000 pounds) are distributed to some 2,000 local families.

Food for HOPE is made possible through the generosity of donors, the Christ Church congregation, and a grant from the State of New Jersey.

Thursday’s opening is the latest in the initial phase of a planned $30 million renovation to CCNJ’s campus and 130,000 square-foot building, formerly owned by Agilent Technologies/Hewlett Packard and located at 140 Green Pond Road in Rockaway. When fully funded, renovated and opened, CCNJ will bring some 40 full-time and 60 part-time jobs to the Morris County facility and will provide a comprehensive array of community, health, and family support services and programs. Many of the wraparound services will be free, while others will be provided at a highly discounted rate.

Currently, CCNJ is providing a limited number of services while the building is being renovated.

Once completed, the larger facility will enable significant expansion of the existing services, which include:

• CARE 4 Kids: This program supports the social and immediate needs of every marginalized child in NJ in crucial life areas through in-person services, mobile care, and virtual programs. As the Implementing Partner for the national Care Portal organization, CARE 4 Kids serves as a bridge that connects resources to under-resourced children.
• The Counseling Center: Licensed mental health practitioners provide counseling for mental and emotional health disorders, relationship issues and life challenges. This service is provided at a highly discounted rate.
• Legal Clinic:  Provides free consultation, information and referrals to individuals who are facing a legal issue on a personal matter and have never sought legal advice before. At the legal clinic, clients can seek legal guidance on a one-to-one basis for 30 minutes with a licensed attorney who is volunteering his/her services pro bono.
• Food for HOPE: Guests can visit once a month to bring home fresh produce, bread, canned goods, meat, and more at no cost. CCNJ’s annual Food for HOPE Thanksgiving giveaway every November provides families with nourishing meals.
• Vehicle Assistance: Donated cars are given to single-parent households or under-resourced families.
• Belong Group: Equips organizational leaders with knowledge, collaborative partners and cultural intelligence training that enables them to develop and manage thriving organizations. CCNJ offers competitive fee-based experiential classes, boot camps, organizational consulting, as well as conflict and reconciliation services.
• Step It Up: Provides support services to help the rapidly growing number of blended families thrive.
• Support Groups:  Provides an array of groups to help with those going through divorce, helping family members whose loved ones have mental health issues, helping women survivors of sexual trauma, helping those who are grieving, and men’s support groups including The Fatherhood Initiative, which provides mentoring, parenting skills, coaching, resources and education to support fathers.
• Multisensory Room: Designed for children with ADHD, autism, and other challenges, this room offers a calming and engaging environment filled with soothing lights, textured surfaces, and interactive sensory activities. Once renovations are complete, the new space will include programs including guided sensory play, mindfulness activities, and motor skills development exercises, all aimed at fostering self-regulation while creating a nurturing and stress-free experience for both the child and their family.
• Clothing Thrift Shop: Offers affordable, quality second-hand apparel for the whole family. CCNJ inspects, washes and prepares every item to ensure it is ready for second-hand use. Proceeds from the sale of clothing are used to support other programs including the food pantry.
• Capacity Builders: Provides a suite of services that empowers small businesses and nonprofits to scale, leading to sustainability, job creation, a thriving local economy, and an improved quality of life for the greater community.
• Career Pathways: Career coaches help clients figure out who they are and what they want out of their education, career and life. Aided by their coaches, clients identify interests and skills, start a job search, write a resume or prepare for an interview.
• Financial Literacy Training: a committed team of volunteers provides training classes that address money management relevant for everyone–from the financially secure to the financially distressed. The FLT also offers one-on-one confidential coaching to individuals and families, as well as resources available for continued financial education.

Two additional programs and services will be launched once the facility is open:

• Medical, Dental & Eye Referral Services: CCNJ’s external network of dentists, hygienists and optometrists provides care to adults and children including eye exams and glasses, dental exams and X-rays, fillings, cleanings, and more.
• English as a Second Language: Classes will teach students conversational English and develop cultural skills to successfully live and work in the United States.

Funded entirely by grants, donations, and proceeds from its discounted programs, CCNJ is a community outreach of Christ Church, one of the largest churches in NJ, with locations in Clifton, Montclair and Rockaway and a diverse membership of more than 10,000 people representing 70 countries. The CARE Center draws its foundation from over 20 years of serving the needs of the local NJ community.