The Malcom Jenkins Foundation is partnering with Feed the Children for its signature “Get Ready Fest”™ event— a signature outreach event that will provide 400 pre-identified Camden-area families with wellness resources, food and essentials. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 7 at Antioch Baptist Church, 690 Ferry Ave, Camden, NJ.
The event will serve as The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation’s 9th Get Ready Fest TM since 2014, providing food and essential resources to more than 7,000 families in cities of Camden, NJ, Philadelphia, PA, New Orleans, LA and Columbus, OH.
In Camden, more than 37 percent of households live below the poverty level and far too many children go to bed hungry. Households experiencing food insecurity face uncertainty about how they can afford to keep food on the table and difficult decisions about how to pay for their basic needs.
Thanks in part to the Foundation’s generous donors and a grant received from the BNY Mellon Mid-Atlantic Charitable Trusts in support of the Foundation’s investment in the well-being of communities in the Greater Philadelphia Region, each participating family will receive a 25-pound box of shelf-stable food such as canned vegetables, peanut butter and mac ‘n cheese, a 15-pound box of essentials, including items such as shampoo, razors and toothpaste, and one box of Avon products. The provided food and essentials items will help families in need with basic materials most people take for granted.
In addition to providing food and daily essentials, the event offers an array of health-related services and information, through the support of attending community resource partners. These services include screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, asthma and basic eye and dental check-ups. The event also provides education and social service information relating to GED, job training, and senior and veteran support services. Additionally, there will be a children’s resource area that provides services, children’s books and additional products, as well as haircuts, face painting, and snacks.
“We are excited to partner with Feed the Children and bring Get Ready Fest event back to this community for the second year, as part of our commitment to the City of Camden”, said Gwendolyn V. Jenkins, President and CEO of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. “Additionally, we are proud to work together with our many community resources partners, volunteers and donors to bring food, health and wellness services, information and essential resources, that contribute to helping people improve their lives and build healthy communities.”
Two-time Super Bowl champion Malcolm Jenkins, three-time Pro Bowl Safety for the Philadelphia Eagles, and Founder and Chairman of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation will be onsite participating in the event. Energized by Malcolm Jenkins, volunteers from The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, Antioch Baptist Church, Virtua Health and Feed the Children will be onsite serving families and assisting with distribution during the event.
“We recognize hunger can’t be fought alone, but by working together, we can provide food and essentials to millions of children and families who live in poverty,” said Travis Arnold, president and chief executive officer of Feed the Children. “Hope for a better future is made possible thanks to our partners at The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation.”