Marc Lambert, and the staff of Senior Excursions, Wildwood, are hoping to rally local businesses to partner with them in saving the United Way food pantry and hot lunch program.
It’s a call for help. Not the first, and hopefully not the last.
But unless United Way of Cape May County is able to replace the “First Call for Help” grant that helped fund its local food pantry and hot lunch program, its doors may close.
That’s why Marc Lambert, of Senior Excursions, Wildwood, is hoping to enlist the help of a few like-minded Cape May County business owners to keep the food pantry open.
The agency was recently notified that the $13,477 grant, which funds the program’s administrative and operating expenses, would not be renewed. Lambert learned about the shortfall last week and quickly volunteered to help.
The amount is big burden for one business or individual to shoulder on their own, but Lambert believes that donations by a few committed people in the community can keep the pantry and hot lunch program in business. If ten local businesses can donate $1,347, the money for the pantry’s operating budget will be restored.
“We can form our own grant to replace the one they lost.” He said. “We’re the first to sign on, but now we need five or six or seven or more people that are willing to pitch in,” he said.
Lambert, who runs a travel company that specializes in bus trips for seniors, brings hundreds of thousands of people to Southern New Jersey every year–often in the off-season. He said contributing to charity has always been a part of the company mission, but now more than ever he feels its important to do what he can in his own community.
“We are going to try to stay local,” he said. “There are people right here that need our help.”
Lambert had already offered to support the United Way by sponsoring a duck in this year’s Rubber Ducky Regatta on Aug. 15, but when he learned the food pantry was threatened, he wanted to do more.
It hasn’t been easy, though. He has reached out to a few local business owners already, but so far no one has committed to his effort.
“Times are tough, but we are trying like heck to do what we can,” he said.
With the help of volunteers, the United Way pantry and hot lunch program has been providing support to local residents and families in crisis for three decades. They provide a safety net to families when unemployment strikes or when an unexpected emergency or rising bills leave no money for food and other basic needs.
“We have always been there to help people when they need it most,” United Way Executive Director, Suzanne Nardi said. But now, as tough economic times put more strains on the family budget than ever, the funding shortfall might force the pantry to shut its doors.
“We don’t want that to happen,” Nardi said, and she is grateful to Lambert for his efforts. “There are so many good and generous people in our community. They have never let us down before, and I believe they will not let us down now.”
To learn more about how you can help, call the United Way of Cape May County at 609-729-2002 or Marc Lambert at 609-729-9331.
