RWJUH and Suydam Street Reformed Church Expand Community Garden with AARP Grant to Address Food Insecurity

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) has received a $15,000 AARP Community Challenge grant to expand its Planting to End Hunger community garden at Suydam Street Reformed Church in New Brunswick. This initiative aims to increase access to fresh, healthy produce for local residents and further address food insecurity in the community. RWJUH, part of RWJBarnabas Health, partnered with the church’s Health Ministry to create a program that engages volunteers in growing vegetables for the Virginia and Anthony Previte Food Pantry, which serves 121 families monthly.
The grant marks one of only 22 quick-action livability projects in New Jersey to receive AARP funding, highlighting the importance of community-driven solutions to social challenges. Nationally, AARP awards 544 such grants annually, underscoring the broader impact of local efforts. The new funding will support the expansion of the garden’s planting capacity, infrastructure improvements, and increased community engagement through educational and volunteer opportunities.
The Planting to End Hunger program is a collaboration between RWJUH’s Community Health Program and the Suydam Street Reformed Church. Volunteers work together to cultivate vegetables that are distributed through the church’s food pantry, offering a tangible example of how local partnerships can address hunger. This work aligns with the biblical call to care for the hungry, as seen in Matthew 25:35, where Jesus emphasizes the importance of feeding the poor.
The grant presentation ceremony brought together representatives from RWJUH, AARP New Jersey, and the Suydam Street Reformed Church, reflecting the collaborative nature of the initiative. Local law enforcement and community leaders also attended, underscoring the shared commitment to improving public health and well-being. This partnership exemplifies the power of collective action in addressing systemic issues like food insecurity.
By investing in community gardens and food pantries, RWJUH and its partners are not only providing immediate relief but also fostering long-term resilience. These efforts reflect the Christian principle of neighbor-love, as described in Galatians 6:10, which encourages believers to do good to all people. The program’s success depends on the dedication of volunteers and the support of local institutions, demonstrating how faith and action can work together for the common good.
The expansion of the garden also highlights the role of faith-based organizations in addressing social needs. Suydam Street Reformed Church’s Health Ministry has been a vital partner in this initiative, offering both spiritual and practical support to those in need. This collaboration underscores the importance of integrating faith and service, as seen in Hebrews 13:16, which calls for acts of mercy and generosity.
Through this grant, RWJUH and its partners are taking a meaningful step toward reducing food insecurity in New Brunswick. The initiative not only provides fresh produce but also strengthens community bonds and promotes a culture of care. As the program grows, it serves as a model for how local efforts can make a lasting impact, reflecting the biblical mandate to love one’s neighbor as oneself.

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