Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity (MEND)

Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity (MEND) is a hunger relief network in Essex County focused on addressing food insecurity and advancing health equity by increasing access to fresh and healthy food through collaborative, community-driven programming. Through two core programs, Pantry Partnerships and MEND on the Move (MOTM), MEND has a network of over 40 food pantries and community partners located in Bloomfield, East Orange, Irvington, Maplewood, Montclair, Newark, Orange, South Orange, and West Orange.

Through Pantry Partnerships, MEND regularly convenes leaders of Essex County food pantries and provides supplemental support including advocacy and resource sharing, supplemental fresh and healthy food, and volunteers. MEND on the Move (MOTM) hosts mobile markets (i.e. free farmers markets) and home deliveries designed collaboratively with community partners, bringing fresh, healthy food directly and consistently to community members. In 2023, MEND provided 78,772 fresh food servings and served about 166,440 children.

In 2024, MEND became the backbone organization for the Food & Health Equity Coalition of Essex County (FHEC). MEND spearheaded early efforts to establish this Coalition, which is committed to identifying and addressing the county’s greatest barriers to food and health equity. The Coalition has a membership base of government representatives, funders, non-profit leaders, and community health centers. One hundred members representing over 60 cross-sector organizations are part of the FHEC. The Coalition meets quarterly and follows a committee structure focused on Older Populations, Environment, Maternal & Child Health, and Advocacy. Visit the FHEC’s website to learn more about upcoming meetings and events. In September 2024, Schumann Fund awarded $35,000 to MEND in operating support. MEND’s efforts are aligned with Schumann Fund’s affordable homes & healthy communities program priority and are advanced under the strategy of community power-building.