NEWS

August 2010
CUMAC Needs Your Help
Effectively immediately CUMAC will be cutting out Wednesday evening hours (returning to our regular closing time) in an attempt to address a critical cash flow problem.  Demand for our services continues to rise (we're on track to exceed last year's record numbers), and while we have been able to acquire sufficient food to provide for those in need, we are running dangerously low on the financial resources to operate our programs.  Donations are traditionally down during the summer months, but this year is particularly low.  Additionally, promised grant money is delayed.  We are doing what we can by cutting staff time, but the trucks still need to transport the food, the fridges still need to run to keep it cool, and the staff still needs to be here to make sure the food gets to the people who need it most.  If there is anything you can give at this time, it would be most appreciated.  For more information, see this urgent appeal from our Executive Director, Rev. Pat Bruger.

Our latest newsletter is available here.

July 2010
CUMAC Will Be Collecting School Supplies
As in years passed, CUMAC will be collecting backpacks and school supplies to help send Paterson children back to school prepared to learn.  It seems early to talk about this as our youth just finished up the 2009-2010 school year last week, but there are some great sales out there now, so it could be a good time to stock up on supplies to help us out.  Last year we provided backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, rulers, calculators, book covers and other supplies to nearly 250 children, including the 30 in our after school program TLC.  To help us do the same this year, check out this list of needed supplies and details of the project.

April 30,2010
CUMAC Celebrates 25 Years and 20 Years of Rev. Bruger's Leadership
On Thursday, April 29th, about 100 guests gathered at the Tides in North Haledon for an elegant evening of dinner and dancing in celebration of CUMAC's 25th year of incorporation, and Rev. Bruger's 20th year as Executive Director.  More event info and pictures coming soon.

March 2010
CUMAC Once Again Takes on the Feinstein Challenge
Every spring, Philanthropist Alan Shawn Feinstein issues a challenge to everyday people to help fight hunger in their own communities.  Last year, $197 million dollars were raised to support hunger programs across the United States. This year, you are once again invited to be part of the largest grass roots campaign to fight hunger, while directly supporting CUMAC’s efforts to feed people in Paterson, Passaic County and northern New Jersey.

Your participation in the Feinstein Challenge at this time is critical, and it is easy!  Simply make your tax-deductible cash (you can do it online here) or food donation to CUMAC between March 1st and April 30th, 2010.  Your gift of $50 to CUMAC will provide 100 meals for hungry seniors, children, and families, right here in New Jersey; $75 will go even further.   Even if you cannot give a cash donation this year, you can still participate in the Feinstein Challenge.  Every pound of food donated in March and April will count as $1.00 towards the total donations received and help us earn a greater share of Mr. Feinstein’s $1 million dollars.  Please consider getting your UMW, or entire congregation, involved in this challenge.  Feel free to contact CUMAC for pointers on running an effective outreach effort or food drive.

January 2010
CUMAC Fed Most Ever in 2009
We have finished compiling our 2009 statistics and the numbers are astounding.  We fed 31,408 people in 2009 - 4,166 (33%) more than last year, which had been our record high.  Truly the only way were able to keep up with the increasing need for our services, was with the generous support of the community.  To everyone who donated a can of food, or a dollar, to help our mission, we are so grateful.  We do not forsee the need abating in 2010, so please continue to keep fighting hunger on your priority list.  Together we can be sure everyone has enough nutritious food to keep their families healthy and thriving.

May 29, 2009
CUMAC NEEDS BAGS!
Due to the increasing number of people in need of food assistance, we are rapidly depleting our supply of paper and plastic grocery bags.  All food distributed to clients goes out in a bag.  An individual might, for example, receive 3 bags of food, while a family of 4 or more could receive 8 bags.  We often double bag, particularly for canned and frozen items, as many of our clients have to walk home with their food and need the packages to be durable.  When well over 2,000 people are served a month, you can imagine how quickly we go through bags.  We try not to ever have to purchase bags, as we would much rather use our resources to obtain food for our clients.  So, if you have a growing stash of paper or plastic bags in your home, please consider sharing some with CUMAC.  Get your church, temple, school, business or social group to do a "free" drive to collect bags.  Every bag will help!  Please call our office if you have any questions.

May 15, 2009
36 Golfers Tee Off Against Hunger
The 5th Annual CUMAC Golf Outing was held this past Monday, May 11.  Thirty-six golfers took to the green on a gorgeous day to raise money to support our mission to feed people and change lives.  We are incredibly grateful to those who came out to golf, or joined us for dinner, and to our many generous sponsors:
Welcome Bag Sponsor: Atlantic Stewardship Bank -
Program Printing Sponsor: Bill Griffeth, author of "By Faith Alone"
Hole Sponsors: Joe Bae & Family; Gene Bilz; Pat & Carl Bruger; Cornerstone Fellowship; Jim Flechsig; Galante & Matthews, ESQs; Jean Hildebrandt & Family; John & Seung Kim; Chung, Susan, Sean & Ian Lee; Assemblywoman Nellie Pou; Hazel Shue, in loving memory of Rev. Forrest Shue; Total Lighting Concepts; Treesdale Partners; and Chuck & Elaine Wing

May 4, 2009
Feinstein Challenge Is BIG Success
The 2009 Feinstein Challenge has come to a close and we are delighted to report that it was a huge success from CUMAC's perspective.  In fact, we collected 70% more food and 64% more financial gifts than we did during the Challenge last year.  Not only does that mean we will likely get the largest Feinstein Grant in the state of NJ again this year, but more importantly it means that we have been able to keep up with the ever increasing need of our clients.  In the end, we served nearly 5,000 people during March and April this year - over 35% more than the same time period last year.  We simply could not have kept up with the rise in demand without your support and generosity.

April 1, 2009
Feinstein Challenge Midpoint
The Feinstein Challenge - the two month period in which we count up our food and financial contributions to determine what share of a hunger grant we will receive - is half over.  The community response during the first 31 days of the Challenge has been tremendous!  During the month of March, the food and funds which poured in made it possible for CUMAC to serve our clients at full capacity.  This means not once did we have to turn away someone who was hungry, or cut back on the quantity or quality of food our clients need, despite the fact that the number of people in need continues to grow.  We truly can never thank our supporters enough for making that possible.  If you haven't had a chance to make a contribution - there is still time!  The Challenge runs through the end of April, so please consider making a gift, or holding a food drive.  Thank you.

March 2009
CUMAC Is Extending Its Hours
CUMAC is trying to accommodate for working individuals and families who would like to access our services, volunteer or drop off donations outside of standard business hours.  To that end, we will be extending our regular operating hours.  Beginning in March, CUMAC will be open on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the second Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m..  During those hours, the pantry will be open to clients and the warehose will be able to accept donations.  The Thrift Shop will also be open to the public from 10 a.m. to closing on those days.  Our regular hours of 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the referral office and warehouse and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the thrift shop stand for Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays.  As always, it is best to call before visiting the building to make sure specific circumstances don't dictate a change to those hours.

March 2009
It's Feinstein Time at CUMAC!
Allan Shawn Feinstein is a philanthropist dedicated to the alleviation of hunger in the United States.  Every year he challenges hunger agencies, like ours, nation-wide to see how much food and financial contributions they can collect during the months of March and April.  He then divides $1 million of his own money based on what each agency reports.  For the past 2 years, CUMAC has received the largest share in NJ, a feat we hope to repeat this year.  This is a wonderful time to organize a food drive with your school, work, faith or civic group, or to make a monetary gift to CUMAC.  Remember every pound of food or dollar counts toward the Challenge and will be magnified by a Feinstein grant this summer. 

October 9, 2008
Governor Corzine Visits CUMAC
New Jersey Governor Corzine held a press conference at CUMAC to announce the early distribution of nearly $1 million to the six Food Banks in the state to ease shortages reported by food pantries, including CUMAC.  In fact, CUMAC was chosen as the sight of the announcement because of its decision to close for the first time in its 30-year history due to lack of food. In addition to the Governor, NJ Secretary of Agriculture Charles Kuperus and Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources Jennifer Velez spoke to the crowd - comprised of CUMAC's staff, representatives from various hunger-related agencies and the media - regarding state programs to address hunger and poverty. Kathleen DiChiara, President and CEO of the Community Food Bank of NJ, and our own Executive Director, Rev. Patricia Bruger, shared the "front line" stories of increased need in all communities and the generous response of donors.
We are extremely grateful to the Governor for drawing attention to this critical issue and his commitment to the State Food Purchase program. We hope his prioritization of the Hunger Initiative will include increased attention and funding for Food Stamps and School Breakfast programs - two critical elements in the fight against hunger.

UPDATE: October 1, 2008
CUMAC is serving, though still with limited food
Thanks solely to the generosity of individuals who heard the news of our closing and responded with urgency and generosity - we have reopened our doors to clients! Food levels are still low, however, we are doing our best to at least provide basics to everyone who comes to our door in need. We are also continuing to seek new food resources so that we can avoid another closing in the future. Unfortunately, we don't forsee an abatement in the number of people seeking assistance, but we hope to be able to respond to the growing need in the future. We cannot adequately express our gratitude to everyone who has brought down food or sent in a donation since hearing of the need.

In addition to many individuals who made donations online, brought down food or sent in a check, the following groups have donated food and/or money to help replenish our supply:

• Bergen Highlands UMC (Saddle River, NJ)
• Broadway Medical
• Caldwell UMC
• Calvary UMC (Dumont, NJ)
• Cedar Cliff UMC
• Cedar Crest Village, Missions Committee
• Chatham UMC
• CTR Construction (Bergenfield, NJ)
• Demarest UMC
• Eva’s Village
• Grace UMC (Wyckoff, NJ)
• Hackensack UMC
• Helping Hands Pantry at the Hillsdale UMC
• Home for Home
• Kaplen Foundation
• Leonia UMC
• Madison Park Epworth and Paterson Avenue UMCs (Paterson, NJ)
• Midland Park UMC
• New Foundland UMC
• Passaic County Community College, SGA
• Ridgewood UMC
• River Church (Teaneck, NJ)
• Ruth Lee Fund of the Little Falls United Methodist Church
• TABLE TO TABLE -
• This agency has been a long-time contributor and a critical partner to many feeding agencies across northern NJ. They are a community-based food rescue program that collects prepared and perishable food that would otherwise be wasted and delivers it to organizations that serve the hungry in Bergen, Hudson, Essex and Passaic counties, including CUMAC. Table to Table is the first and only food rescue program in northeast NJ solely dedicated to redistributing prepared and perishable foods. Their program has been and continues to be a critical source for fresh and perishable food for our clients.
  UMC of Wayne
• UMC Palisades District Office
• Yobel Korean UMC (Demarest, NJ)

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS RESPONDED TO THE NEED AND CONTINUES TO RECOGNIZE THAT NOONE SHOULD GO HUNGRY IN THIS WORLD OF PLENTY.

September 26, 2008
CUMAC HAS NO FOOD!

Yes, you read that correctly. CUMAC, the largest feeding program in Passaic County, is out of food. In fact, for the first time in our over 30 year history of feeding people, we have had to close our doors today because we have nothing to give out.  

The empty shelves are a direct result of a record increase in clients and a steady decline in food availability. During the first 8 months of 2008, CUMAC filled 30% more referrals than in the same time period last year and September is already proving to be following the same trend. Traditionally, the months of October, November and December are CUMAC’s busiest, as 33% more people file through our doors in need than in any other quarter of the year. If those two trends hold true, and all indication is that they will, CUMAC will see 8,000 people in food crisis by year’s end. The question is, will we have the food to provide? While the demand for our services has waxed, the resources to respond to the need have waned.

CUMAC traditionally receives monthly government food allocations valued between $5000 and $7000. The last few months have seen those values slip, and in September, CUMAC received only $3000 worth of food. In addition, we generally purchase perishables from the Community Food Bank at a nominal $0.16 per pound, however this month there were no frozen vegetables or entrees available and we were only able to purchase about half of our normal meat order.  CUMAC also normally benefits from food contributions from individuals, corporate, civic and school groups, however donors are facing the same price increases at the gas station and grocery store as CUMAC’s clients are, and donations are subsequently down.

This is truly a crisis situation.  Increased need and decreased resources have collided to form a “perfect storm” that has forced closed CUMAC’s doors. We are unsure of when we will be able to open again, which more importantly means our some 2,000 monthly clients will be left wondering where they will find food until CUMAC reopens.

YOU CAN HELP! We are in desperate need of food and/or money to purchase food.  Truly, every little bit helps, so please do what you can. Feel free to contact us at 973-742-5518 or info@cumacecho.org for further information.

June 2008
Is your green thumb in over-drive?
If you have a bumper crop of fresh fruits and vegetables from your garden this year, consider donating the extras to CUMAC.  While many pantries have to rely strictly on canned and other non-perishable goods to feed their clients, CUMAC is fortunate to have the facility to handle fresh foods and our clients are ever appreciative to receive them!

March 2008
The Feinstein Challenge is on!
Every pound of food or dollar donated to CUMAC during the months of March and April will count toward a challenge grant from Allen Feinstein.  The more we collect, the more we stand to receive, so now would be a great time to consider making a financial gift as the challenge grant will magnify your efforts.  Also, think about rallying your workplace, house of worship, civic group or school to do a food drive - every pound counts, and you'll help fill our shelves in the meantime.  Contact the office for more information: 973-742-5518 or info@cumacecho.org

February 2008

Have-A-Heart Auction A Big Success

The 11th Annual event raised more than ever this year, and we have the following people to thank:

*Everyone who attended, especially those who bid on items!

*The volunteers who worked tirelessly for weeks leading up to the event to pull off such a great day

*The Butler United Methodist who hosted the event

*Everyone who donated items, services and talents for biddable items, including the Preakness Aggies 4 H Club for their wonderful blanket

*The following local businesses for donating items to be auctioned (the best way to thank them is to patronize them):
Amore Cucina Italian Restaurant (545 Union Blvd., Totowa, NJ)
G. Fisher & Son Fine Jewelry (653 Route 46 West, Fairfield, NJ)
Universal Sports (500 Route 23 North, Pompton Plains, NJ)
Wolfson's Market (480 Boonton Turnpike #1, Lincoln Park, NJ)

January 2008
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
As we enter into a new year, we'd like to take the time to thank everyone who gave their time, talents and gifts to help CUMAC feed people in 2007.  We could not continue to serve without your support.

September 17, 2007
THE WISH LIST PROGRAM IS UNDERWAY FOR THE 2007 HOLIDAY SEASON.  Every year CUMAC's generous supporters help to provide gifts to underprivileged children in Passaic County.  Last year we were able to help over 800 children living in poverty or coping with abuse or illness enjoy find a little joy over the holiday season.  If you would like to provide a gift to such a child this year, please contact Lynne in the CUMAC office at 973-742-5518 or lbruger@cumacecho.org.
UPDATE: Over 900 gifts were distributed to children in need during the holiday season.  "Thank you" just isn't sufficient acknowledgment for all of the generous donors who made that possible, but we will say it again and again:
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

September 10, 2007 
THE FOOD DRIVE, TO BE HELD SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14TH, IS RAPIDLY APPROACHING, AND WE NEED VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS.  The North Jersey Media Group is once again sponsoring its annual Action Against Hunger Food Drive, and CUMAC is once again responsible for coordinating the Passaic County efforts.  Check the events page for further information.

September 7, 2007
CUMAC's Backpack Drive was a big success! This year the program provided 235 children with bookbags that were filled to the brim with all of the necessary tools of the education trade.  In fact, due to the generosity of our supporters, we had enough supplies left over to share with 3 after school and day care programs who serve close to 100 other children in need.  The following groups made the program possible:

• The United Way of Passaic County
• Calvary United Methodist Church (UMC)
• Cedar Cliff UMC
• Chatham UMC
• Clinton UMC
• Demarest UMC
• Franklin Lakes UMC
• Little Falls UMC
• Parsippany UMC
• A generous group of anonymous individuals

June 9, 2007
CUMAC hosted an Open House today, and about 50 supporters - new and old - joined us.  The day included tours of our newly spruced up facility (thanks to the efforts described below), discussions of the hunger problem and CUMAC's efforts to counter it in northern NJ, a big Thrift Shop sale and a BBQ lunch.  Plans are in the works to make this an annual event, so check back for your chance to come see CUMAC's work in person.

June 8, 2007
A group of approximately 30 volunteers from Deloitte & Touche came to CUMAC today as a part of their "Impact Day" initiative.  Cited as "a one-day celebration of Deloitte's year-round commitment to our communities," the D&T crew certainly had a huge impact on CUMAC by completing the following:

• Recemented our loading dock entryways and leveled parts of the warehouse floor
• Painted safety lines on the warehouse floor
• Replaced burnt out light bulbs in the Thrift Shop
• Cleaned and repainted box freezers to protect from rust
• Repainted the entire Referral Office
• Installed a new kitchen floor
• Cleaned and restructured our upstairs program space

In one day the Deloitte and Touche Impact Day team made changes to our building whose benefits will last for years to come, and the time and money they saved us can now all be focused on our mission of feeding people and changing lives.  We can not thank them enough!

Thank you for your interest in learning more about what's new at CUMAC.  We are constantly updating the content for this section, so check back often or call our office at (973) 742-5518.