Sadly, nearly a million NJ residents are facing hunger. Since 1997, the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award has recognized unsung heroes working diligently to bring greater food security to their communities. With September being Hunger Action Month, we are sharing the stories of four Honorees and how their organizations combat food insecurity and food waste. First in the series are Tanya and Matthew Veltz of Tree House Cares.
Tanya and Matthew founded Tree House Entertainment Cultural Arts Movement, a nonprofit that includes Tree House Cares and Tree House Kids, in 2017. All Tree House programs are designed to uplift residents’ lives by distributing groceries, clothing and personal necessities, hot meals, and school supplies; and organize free community holiday events, coordinate health fairs, and provide informational resources on health care, job security, housing, and more.
Since its founding, Tree House has distributed nearly 40 million pounds of food and clothing to neighbors in need throughout Newark.
“I’d already been doing community outreach work for 20 years prior to starting Tree House,” explained Tanya, who worked in health care. “In 2016 I began helping a friend who ran an afterschool program in Newark and she was feeding children and donating items the kids needed.”
Seeing how great the need for food was, Tanya decided to establish her own nonprofit organization to source donated food and distribute it to people who would otherwise go hungry. Matthew soon joined her in this vital initiative to bring fresh food and healthful pantry staples to more people in Newark and beyond.
“It’s unimaginable that people are starving in a country that’s so rich,” said Matt.
From modest start to multiple community programs
Through the years, various partnerships, supporters, and social media posts have helped Tree House Cares grow its services and reach. They began receiving donated foods from a Trader Joe’s supermarket and eventually, other major retailers (Target, Shop-Rite, Walgreens) and local stores joined the effort. Today, Tree House partners with other food collection and distribution organizations to pick up their leftover inventory. The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) is a major supporter and valuable resource.
The Veltzes started small, distributing groceries on Saturdays and cooking hot meals on Thursdays to feed the homeless population that gathered around Penn Station. Soon, social clubs, people from the arts community and local bikers came together to cook and serve. A summer feeding program for schoolchildren was added in 2018 in collaboration with the City of Newark.
When COVID hit, the Veltzes shut down for one week to figure out how to distribute food safely. They set up an outdoor “grab and go” and were the only food pantry open in the area for several months. Financial support from and partnering with CFBNJ helped them get the commercial refrigerators, shelving, and other supplies they needed to greatly expand their services and now they operate six days a week.
“We stepped out in faith, and didn’t know how we would get it done but when COVID hit, that helped us to help others. The need is even greater now, but we are passionate about making sure people don’t have to suffer food insecurity,” said Tanya.
Today, they work on both ends of the food security spectrum, from food gleaning (collecting excess fresh foods from various sources—as well as procuring pantry staples) to food distribution. A testament to its growth, Tree House Cares:
- operates three community gardens to teach children and adults how to grow and prepare healthy, sustainable foods.
- takes in 10,000-12,000 pounds of fresh produce a week from CFBNJ and has received over 24 million pounds of assorted groceries (about 24,000 pounds a week) since the partnership began via direct delivery from the CFBNJ warehouse.
- distributes food three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday). They serve around 1200 people every Saturday; lines form on distribution days as early as 6:00 a.m.
- serves hot meals three days a week (and distributes groceries) from a mobile soup kitchen.
- provides a week’s worth of groceries to people in shelters, many who are working but cannot afford rent or groceries.
- runs a diabetes prevention program through Summit Health with blood pressure, A1C and cholesterol screenings.
On being honored with a Making a Difference Award
Tanya and Matt were surprised when they got word they were 2022 honorees, noting that although they have been honored several times for the work they do, “this was one of the best awards we ever received. On top of the recognition, getting a cash award meant we could help even more people.”
They enjoyed attending the award ceremony and meeting so many other people doing good work throughout New Jersey. Tanya added that the Making a Difference Award is not only an honor but a valuable credibility tool when they apply for grants.
“We really appreciate everyone at the Russell Berrie Foundation. The money we received was put right back into our work and we are forever grateful to have been selected.”
You can follow Tree House Cares on Facebook.
