Salvation Army receives $4,400 donation through Matching Grants Program

Montclair Kimberley Academy juniors Joe Amato and Ben Rapsas have teamed up with the Partners for Health Foundation to fight hunger. 

The young men enlisted more than a dozen peers to join them in a Food Run that was held on Sunday, April 6.  Each runner/walker raised funds and traversed a 5K route outlined by an MKA Cross Country coach.  The course began in Brookdale Park, then went through Montclair and ended at the Salvation Army, which is the recipient of all funds raised.

Thanks to a new matching grants program for the Fight Hunger the Healthy Way Campaign, Partners for Health is matching every dollar raised by this Food Run.  The teens raised $2,200, which means the Salvation Army will receive a check for $4,400.

 Pam Scott, Executive Director of Partners for Health, notes, “The Campaign was launched last year to inspire action to assist local food banks and soup kitchens in their efforts to provide their clients with healthier foods.  These matching grants are designed to encourage even more activities.”

Healthy food drives will be “matched” at $500 per drive, and fundraising drives will be matched dollar for dollar.  Partners for Health has committed up to $25,000 in matching grant funds.  All activities must benefit local emergency food programs. 

"The Salvation Army is grateful to Ben and Joe for organizing this event because it allows us to better serve those who depend on us to provide healthy meals,” said Michele Kroeze, Business Manager for the Salvation Army.  “Thank you to all of the young people who so generously donated their time, and to all the sponsors who not only made this fundraising endeavor such a success, but also helped to communicate this need within our community."

Lt. Colonel Barbara Hunter adds, “We also want to express our appreciation to Partners for Health Foundation for their continued support of our effort to provide healthy meals.”

“The Fight Hunger the Healthy Way Campaign struck a chord with us because we believe healthy eating should not be a privilege, but should be accessible for all,” says Ben Rapsas. “We are also excited that Partners for Health is matching our fundraising efforts. This will allow us to make a significant contribution to the community.” 

“We chose to donate to the Salvation Army as they are aligned with our goal to provide healthy food to those less fortunate,” adds Joe Amato.  “Ben and I are very active and wanted not only to support healthy eating but also a healthy lifestyle, so we came up with the idea to do a Food Run.” 

Both teens are exemplifying another implicit lesson of the Campaign: that aiding the less fortunate is the cornerstone of community service.

To access the Campaign toolkit, visit www.partnersfdn.org.  For more information:  email info@partnersfdn.org, or call (973) 746-6130, Ext. 10.