The $1.05 million Grant will go a long way in helping the Food Bank meet the ever-increasing food insecurity crisis

Norwescap’s Food Bank in Phillipsburg had a million reasons to celebrate on August 9. With temperatures in the upper 90’s, and humidity hanging thickly in the air, around 100 people including Norwescap Board and staff, community partners, local and county officials gathered under a big tent to commemorate the momentous occasion.

Senator Cory Booker traveled to Phillipsburg to present Norwescap with a check for $1,050,000. The funding supports Norwescap’s purchase of the property where their Food Bank is located, and necessary renovations to increase food storage capacity in the warehouses. The grant, secured by Booker, was made possible through a Congressional Directed Appropriation, which allows members of Congress to dedicate spending for community projects.



Phillipsburg Mayor Todd Tersigni thanked Senator Booker for coming to Phillipsburg to deliver Norwescap the historic grant. He commented, “It will expand programs and bring much-needed nutrition to our community.”



Norwescap Food Bank Director Helene Meissner concurred. She is well aware that food insecurity in the region – which was already a significant issue – is on the rise, even as concerns about the pandemic subside. “The increase in prices for everything, but especially food, has really hurt a lot of people that Norwescap serves, so we need to do more.”



Norwescap CEO Mark Valli said, “Having Senator Booker’s help to secure this grant opens up amazing opportunities for Norwescap to broaden our efforts to fight hunger. This expansion of our Food Bank, combined with our other programs, has the potential to be life changing for the tens-of-thousands of people for whom we provide vital, life-sustaining support every year.”

Senator Booker noted, “For so many food-insecure and low-income people, Norwescap is a beacon of hope, offering daily meals as well as critical support services that put them on the path to achieving success,” adding, ”I was proud to fight on behalf of Norwescap and secure more than $1 million in federal funding that will help Norwescap expand its vital operations and provide even more meals each year to people and families in need.” He continued, “We were able to get your tax dollars back to your community to invest in ways that are going to pay extraordinary dividends in helping people in this community and our State for years to come.”



Norwescap is a non-profit organization that assists low-income populations in Morris, Hunterdon, Warren, Somerset and Sussex counties. Through their broad array of services (education, financial, employment, housing, health and more), Norwescap positively impacts the lives of over 30,000 individuals each year, empowering them to move away from the crisis of poverty, towards a future of opportunity where they can not only survive, but thrive. With food insecurity a growing issue for the northwest region of New Jersey, food equality shouldn’t mean a choice between paying rent or putting food on the table. As one part of a larger strategy of moving people to a more stable future, food insecurity is among the first obstacles that need to be addressed. Enter Norwescap’s Food Bank!



By definition, food banks, including Norwescap’s, secure and distribute food to a network of nonprofit partners. Those partners, including food pantries, then distribute the food to their food-insecure neighbors. Norwescap secures food through a combination of donations, private, Federal, County and State funding, which is leveraged to purchase bulk items from wholesalers, distribution centers and food brokers at a fraction of retail cost, as well as food drives and donations from area farms, supermarkets, food retailers, and partners such as civic clubs, schools, and faith groups.

Each year, Norwescap distributes two million pounds of food, the equivalent of approximately 1.7 million meals, to over 100 food pantries, soup kitchens, and other non-profit partners – a staggering number. But the reality is that doesn’t even come close to meeting the need, in a region of the state where there are many food deserts and communities where the nearest pantry might be miles away.


Norwescap has been renting the warehouse property on North Broad Street in Phillipsburg for more than two decades, but as need in the region has continued to grow, it has been challenging for the Food Bank to expand and modernize the space in order to get more food out into the communities. The grant funding secured by Senator Booker is a significant first step for the organization to execute longer-term plans for improving food security in the region. The planned renovations will significantly increase warehouse capacity to store and purchase food and increase distribution by about 30%.



Heather Thompson, Norwescap’s Chief Development Officer, said, “We are excited to announce the purchase of the property where our Food Bank warehouses are located. We’re extremely grateful for the $1 million grant which will us to move beyond purchasing the property and making basic improvements. This is allowing us to ‘dream big’ about how we can further expand and build out in the future, to ensure we are reaching as many individuals and families as possible who are struggling with access to nutritious foods.”


During his remarks, Booker shared a powerful story of commitment and resiliency from his early years as a lawyer in Newark, in which he learned “our tomorrows can be better than our yesterdays.” He solemnly recalled two impactful words: “Stay faithful.”



Senator Booker described Norwescap as, “an incredible organization that is living testimony to the truth of who we are as a people.” He remarked. “We belong to each other. We are interwoven in this inescapable network of mutuality. We have challenges before us. But I know if we stay faithful, this rejoicing that we’re doing right now over your tax dollars returning to your community is just the beginning of what will be brighter days.”

Valli summed up the broader plan going forward. “Norwescap is going to keep on doing all that we can to help our communities – one person at a time, one family at a time – to reach their goals. Food security is a critical issue in our region, and with this grant, we are poised to help thousands of families become healthier and more food secure so they can focus on their bigger goals.”

Contact Heather Thompson at 908-454-7000, ext. 1106 to learn more about Norwescap’s goal to increase food security in the region and how to get involved. For more information about Norwescap, visit www.norwescap.org. All are welcome to volunteer, donate and advocate.



Originally established in 1965, Norwescap has evolved into a comprehensive nonprofit organization providing services to over 30,000 individuals annually in Morris, Hunterdon, Warren, Somerset and Sussex counties. The organization offers a broad array of services that support and empower people with low to moderate income, helping them move away from the crisis of poverty and towards a future where they can thrive. Norwescap’s programs address immediate needs and build strategies for long term success, focusing on education, employment, financial empowerment, health and nutrition, housing and community development, and volunteerism and civic engagement.