Toms River 'Cupboard' Receives $15K Grant

A Toms River charity that helped locals with basic needs following Superstorm Sandy was awarded a $15,000 grant by First Lady Mary Pat Christie’s New Jersey Heroes initiative.

Your Grandmother’s Cupboard, located in Toms River and run by Clark and Jean Paradise since the mid-2000s, was among the 12 New Jersey organizations selected to receive a total of $100,000 in grant money, according to the Office of the Governor.

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“New Jersey Heroes has been a great vehicle to recognize people in all walks of life who are doing really great things throughout our state, whether it’s for cancer, domestic violence, autism or any number of great causes,” said Christie said in a statement.

Your Grandmother’s Cupboard, located in the Roslyn Plaza, 173A Route 37 West, helps to provide the homeless and working poor in local communities with basic needs such as clothing, shoes, blankets, and personal care items, according to the governor’s office.

After Sandy struck, “the Cupboard became and remains an important hub where donations can be received and distributed.  In addition to helping these victims, they continue to support 20-plus soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters throughout the state,” reads a statement by the governor’s office.

The Heroes grant to the organization will be used to increase hours of operation and to purchase and refurbish a van to be operated as an additional mobile “Cupboard,” according to the governor’s office.

“Through these New Jersey Heroes grants, we’re helping these organizations to increase their visibility and continue to keep doing remarkable work by developing and enhancing needed programs in their communities,” Christie said.

To be considered for the New Jersey Heroes grant, the governor’s office said the following applicant criteria were required:

·         Being a prior New Jersey Hero Award recipient from the New Jersey Heroes Foundation.

·         Demonstrating a continued commitment to community contribution, in the spirit of New Jersey Heroes.

·         Submitting copy of 501c3 status, IRS tax determination documenting status, or explanation of provided on status as well as a copy of most recent audited financials.

·         Summarizing how the grant will be put to use, including a description of the program with goals, objectives, and timeline to achieve the project.