How Supporting Local Food Pantries Can Combat Food Insecurity
Chords for Change held their very first benefit on May 23, 2024, raising $2,000 for the Sparta Community Food Pantry! Thank you to the incredible artists below who performed and to everyone who supported the event. Your generosity and talent made a significant impact, and together we’ve taken a meaningful step toward combating food insecurity in our community.
Special thanks to the below sponsors whose generosity of time, assistance, and venue made all of this possible:
Sparta Avenue Stage www.spartaavenuestage.com
Elisa Girlando Studios www.elisagirlandostudios.com
For all photos from the event, be sure to check out our instagram page!
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Why support your local food pantry?
In 2020, there was an estimated 657,320 people in New Jersey, including 175,830 children, who faced food insecurity. This means that 7.4% of the population and 9% of children did not have reliable access to sufficient food for a healthy, active life. The situation is even more dire among minority communities, with approximately 17% of Black and Hispanic residents in New Jersey experiencing food insecurity (NJ State Department of Health, 2022).
Food insecurity not only impacts physical health but also has lasting effects on mental well-being, academic performance, and overall quality of life, especially for children and the elderly. Without regular access to nutritious food, children may struggle to focus in school, leading to lower academic achievements and diminished future opportunities. For adults and senior citizens, food insecurity often forces impossible choices between buying groceries and paying for essentials like healthcare, housing, and transportation. This is a reality that should not exist. As Valerie Macchio, the director of the Sparta Community Food Pantry, passionately states, “Access to nutritious food is a human right.”
Addressing food insecurity requires an approach that involves all of us to join together in an effort to help our communities by supporting local food programs and ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive. Organizations and individuals can make a difference by volunteering at local food banks, donating to food drives, and raising awareness about the issue in their communities.
The Sparta Community Food Pantry allows those who are hungry to come and receive food, judgement free and without having to provide any documentation. There are many other food pantries with similar missions that are feeding families near you, and they all rely on the generosity of volunteers and donors to keep their shelves stocked and their doors open. By supporting these vital organizations, we can help ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.
Whether through a donation, volunteering your time, or spreading the word, your support can make a real difference. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps bring hope and nourishment to those in need. Let’s come together to fight hunger and build stronger, more compassionate communities. Take action today—because everyone deserves to have food on their table.
The initial success of the benefit concert, which raised $1,627, continued to inspire further generosity, with additional donations bringing the total to $2,000 for the Sparta Community Food Pantry.
Performers gather on stage in celebration of the success of the evening.
Mia Soleil Sanchez
Featured Performers:
Caeley Arellano
Aidan Calderone
Ashantia Dicette
Mia Soleil Sanchez
Sarah Holgado
Eldrin Borja
Joel Garcia
Christina Devine
Thomas Russo
Alexandra Perez
Kelcie Rivera
Benjamin Janiszewski
Logan Tankel
Alyssa Doughty
Angelina Valente
Marco Concha
Evangeline Pabalan
Tech Team:
Sloane Dengler
Emily Dyer
