GRACE – Giving & Receiving Assistance for our Community’s Essentials
SUMMIT, NJ – Imagine a community where everyone has what they need. GRACE’s mission is to ensure that every neighbor in need is happy, healthy and secure. That starts with the community of supporters who came together on October 5th to celebrate ‘Cheers to GRACE’. We raised more than $30,000 while bringing together more than 150 friends from every part of our community, who celebrated the gifts of GRACE during a night to remember.
This event raised funds to support weekly distribution of fresh, nutrient-dense food, essential supplies, and stabilizing supports that enhance the health, wellbeing, and security of more than 600 local families every week. Our Founder, Amanda Parrish Block, spoke to the crowd, sharing ways to engage more deeply in supporting the community. “I extend the invitation to each of you to join in our weekly distribution to serve our neighbors. Thanks to this network of care, one in four GRACE families graduates to self-sufficiency within three months.” Apollo Hrehorovich, President of the GRACE Board of Directors added, “Community, that’s what GRACE is all about. It’s a simple belief – if someone in our community has a need, our community can work together to help them get back up on their feet.”
The event was put together by a committee of twelve dedicated volunteers, led by Board Member Andrea Caserta. While Donna Fisk of Fisk Foto captured all the highlights of the night, Summit’s local food scene was well represented by Summit Diner, Towne Deli, BarBacoa, Pizza Vita, Zappia’s, Anita’s Baked Wonders, Marigolds, Hot Dogs by Mr. Chi, Natale’s Bakery, Sweet Nothings, and Serra Doce. These local businesses all donated their delicious signature food for our event. Roses in Stereo’s kept the crowd dancing all night, and guests departed with a special gift from Brownie Points Bakery.
A special thank you to the generous sponsors who made this event possible: Amanda, Michael and Grace Block, The Caserta Family, Cristina Curiale, Claire Toth & David Dietze, Disco Dharma, Fisk Foto, Katherine Liu, Lucky Locks, Richard & Kayla Pechter, Rich & Joanne Seelaus, Summit Health Cares, The UPS Store Summit, Wilson Family Law, LLC.
Cheers to GRACE!
About GRACE
Since 2016 GRACE has been Giving & Receiving Assistance for our Community’s Essentials. As a volunteer run 501(c)3 non-profit organization, GRACE meets community needs with community resources to enable the good health and success of our vulnerable and underserved neighbors by providing a weekly distribution of culturally relevant fresh food and supplies, including milk, bread, eggs and produce, toilet paper, diapers and wipes, period products and laundry detergent. While providing access and referrals to stabilizing support services at every distribution, GRACE now serves more than 600 local families every week. GRACE meets community demand with community resources. For more information, visit
www.gracegivingreceiving.org, or email info@gracegivingreceiving.org.