In the pandemic, Montclair stepped up. A heartfelt thank-you (Letter)
The COVID-19 pandemic has crippled our nation for over a year and has deeply impacted every American and people all over the world. In addition to the numerous lives lost to this horrific disease, the negative impacts can be readily seen in the vast number of people having difficulty affording food,paying rent or utility bills and more.
Businesses closed, jobs were downsized or eliminated and many found themselves without any source of income at all. This was certainly not something any of us expected to experience in our lifetimes. It’s been a long, difficult road and though we’re seeing some signs of a return to normalcy it’s not completely over yet.
Despite it all, here in Montclair and throughout Essex County something positive happened: People came together, counted their own blessings and began looking for ways to help those less fortunate than themselves. We saw donations coming in with increased frequency. Food drives began popping up everywhere and our phones are ringing constantly with people seeking volunteer opportunities or inquiring about our needs. This community “stepped up” in an unprecedented way to help its struggling neighbors.
Since coming to the Human Needs Food Pantry in 2013, I have been nothing short of astounded by the outpouring of generosity and support this community has for our organization. Montclair and the surrounding towns have ensured that we can keep up with the need regardless of the number of people we serve.
On behalf of the Human Needs Food Pantry, our board of trustees, our staff and the hundreds and hundreds of clients who rely on us for assistance, I want to just say a heartfelt thank you. Whether you gave of your time and talents, whether you made a donation of goods or funds large or small or whatever you may have done, your selfless generosity has made an immeasurable impact on people who had truly run out of options. We are deeply grateful for your support and want you to know it.
Thank you.
Mike Bruno
Executive Director
Human Needs Food Pantry
Our Montclair: Human Needs never went away
Montclair Local's Opinion section is an open forum for civil discussion in which we invite readers to discuss town matters, articles published in Montclair, or previously published letters. Views expressed and published in this section are solely those of the writers, and do not represent the views of Montclair Local.
Letters to the editor: To submit a letter to the editor, email letters@montclairlocal.news, or mail "Letters to the Editor," 309 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ, 07042 (email is preferred). Submissions must include the name, address and phone number of the writer for verification. Only the writer's name and town of residence will be published. Montclair Local does not publish anonymous opinion pieces.
Letters must be no more than 500 words in length, and must be received by 5 p.m. Monday to be eligible for potential publication in that week's Thursday print issue. Letters may be edited by Montclair Local for grammar and style. While our goal is to publish most letters we receive, Montclair Local reserves the right to decline publication of a letter for any reason, including but not limited to concerns about unproven or defamatory statements, inappropriate language, topic matter far afield of the particular interests of Montclair residents, or available space.
Town Square: Montclair Local also accepts longer-form opinion essays from residents aiming to generate discussion on topics specific to the community, under our "Town
Square" banner. "Town Square" essays should be no more than 750 words in length, and topics should be submitted to letters@montclairlocal.news at least seven days prior to publication.