The Pulse of the Community: Reading, Hunger & Financial Stability

March 2019 Newsletter

	The Pulse of the Community: Reading, Hunger & Financial Stability

Mayor Gusciora reading during the ribbon cutting at Parker Elementary School

Nurturing a Love of Reading

A ccess to books should not be a luxury for children. To alleviate the lack of access to books United Way of Greater Mercer County, unveiled two Reading Oases in the Trenton School District (Mott and Parker Elementary Schools). Both spaces include over 500 new & contemporary age appropriate books, child-friendly furniture and literacy-themed artwork. The children visit with their teachers and are enticed to read and discuss stories among their peers. During the unveiling Mayor Reed Gusciora, Jeff Hurley (Trenton Thunder) and Ed Bullock (Trenton Literacy Movement) engaged children from K-3rd grade in fun read aloud.

Click for Pictures of the Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies

Special Acknowledgements:

Reading Oasis at Mott Elementary School was generously supported by Trenton Thunder. Reading Oasis at Parker Elementary School was generously supported by Eileen Conway, UWGMC Board Member, and Margaret Harper, Community Activist. Parker Elementary School: chairs were built & painted by Holman Automotive Group and FedEx sorted books by grade level. Art work was created by Trenton Thunder and The College of New Jersey Student United Way.

5th Annual Strike Out Hunger

Horizon NJ Health employees at Strike Out Hunger 2018

United Way of Greater Mercer County's Strike Out Hunger Initiative has turned into more than a day of action. Last year, in addition to hosting the community meal packing event, grants were awarded to 12 organizations that focus on summer hunger. Including Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), Rider University Food Pantry and Capital Area YMCA (Trenton YMCA). Strike Out Hunger is in its fifth year. UWGMC will continue to host the community meal packing event and award grants. This year, fresh produce distribution will be added. The addition of fresh produce is needed to promote nutrition and healthy eating. The community meal packing event will be at The College of New Jersey on June 11, 2019 from 10am-12pm. Thank you to our sponsors: Horizon NJ Health, NJM Insurance Group, Wells Fargo, Investors Bank, M&T Bank and PNC Bank.

Get involved in the 5th Annual Strike Out Hunger!

Watch the Strike Out Hunger 2018 Video

Learn more about Strike Out Hunger 2018

Where do the Meals Go?

UWGMC would like to thank members of the 2019 Strike Out Hunger Committee who are planning on making the event a success. View List of Committee Members

Free Tax Program Turns 50!

IRS Tax Volunteers at The Arc Mercer free tax site.

Since 1969, the Free Tax Program (VITA-Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) has provided individuals and families with high-quality tax preparation across the U.S. In our

community, United Way of Greater Mercer County and the Mercer CASH Coalition, lead the effort by mobilizing organizations, volunteers and advocates to address financial stability. An IRS Tax Volunteer a ssists households making less than $65,000 get their taxes filed for free . By saving money on tax preparation fees and being eligible for tax credits, individuals and families can use the additional income for rent, transportation, food and debt. This allows households to get one step closer to financial freedom and security.

Can you or someone you know benefit from this free service?

Visit one of our free tax sites view full list

Make an appointment at United Way of Greater Mercer County's office! Few spots left-Book Now or call 2-1-1

Forward the full list of free tax sites to someone you know

Go to MyFreeTaxes and prepare your own taxes for free! Powered by H&R Block and United Way Partnership.

Helpful resources when filing your taxes:

Thanks For Your Support!

The following companies support United Way of Greater Mercer County's mission through workplace giving,

corporate engagement or have chosen to designate their donations to a partner non-profit:

Accenture
Ancero LLC
AT&T
Bank of America
BNY Mellon
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Customers Bank
ETS
Fidelity
Gap, Inc.
GE
Hibbert Company
IBM
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson, Mirmiran &
Thompson
Keurig Dr. Pepper
Lincoln Financial Group
Mercadien

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
NEC Laboratories
New Jersey Education
Association
NJM Insurance Group
PSEG
Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation
Rue Insurance
Solvay
Target
Travelers Insurance
Verizon Foundation
Walmart
Wegmans

Thanks to our individual supporters!

The list acknowledges companies that provided support from February 1, 2019 though February 28, 2019. UWGMC has worked carefully to ensure the accuracy of this information. If we have made an error, please accept our apologies and notify us by emailing Courtney Matlock at courtney.matlock@uwgmc.org.

A note from our President & CEO

What does it take to have a good quality of life? The answer may surprise you. Dorothy Height, renowned Educator & Activist once said, "Without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life. It's important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It's the way in which we grow and develop." United Way is helping individuals to have a good quality of life. We provide the means to serve and be served. I invite you to read and learn more about our work.

Sincerely,

Sandra Toussaint

Corporate Engagement Spotlight

Deloitte's Princeton office created Arts Kits. The kits will benefit 75 children of Arm in Arm's Summer Lunch and Reading Program! Learn more about Corporate Engagement Opportunities

What Community Members Are Saying

"Horizon NJ Health has been a part of Strike Out Hunger since 2015. Every year, our employees look forward to participating in the event and the number of volunteers increase. As a member of the Strike Out Hunger Committee, I feel I am giving back to the community and helping to address the problem of hunger in Mercer County. I know that every meal we pack is delivered to a child in need. It is remarkable to see so many people work together for a great cause. It is an honor to partner with United Way of Greater Mercer County and work together to make a positive impact in the community."

- Alminda D'Agostino, PhD, MPH, CHES

Manager Community Health Education

Horizon NJ Health

Events

5th Annual Strike Out Hunger Community Meal Packing Event: June 11, 2019, The College of New Jersey from 10am-12pm.

Become a Partner Against Hunger!

SAVE THE DATE

20th Annual Non-Profit Summit: Using Technology for Outreach and Engagement: Telling Your Compelling Story in the Digital Age. June 7, 2019, Deloitte Office, Parsipanny, NJ from 8:30am-1:30pm. More info coming soon.