On May 15th, the Center for Child and Family Achievement (CCFA), in partnership with Christine’s Hope for Kids, gathered at the Gregory School to distribute essential food and personal hygiene packages to more than 100 families. These resources were distributed equitably, which in our approach, means that we allocate resources based on family unit size. Families were given groceries including milk, fresh vegetables and fruit, and these items were provided by the Trenton Board of Education’s “Grab ‘n Go” initiative, Aramark and Mercer Street Friends Center’s “Send Hunger Packing” (SHP), program. CCFA offered special hygiene gifts, which included toothbrushes, toothpaste, coloring books, crayons, sweet treats, small toys, and snacks. These gifts were generously donated by Christine’s Hope for Kids. Social distancing was respected at this distribution event, and every volunteer responded to the mandate to wear personal protective equipment.

The value in personally knowing the families that we serve is that CCFA is able to ask its donors to address the expressed and dynamic needs of each family unit, which includes homes where grandparents are primary caregivers. We would like to express a special thank you to Christine’s Hope for Kids for inspiring children’s laughs and smiles, and for continuing to underscore the importance and urgency of what CCFA is working to accomplish during the COVID-19 pandemic.