Spreading Joy and Support: The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation’s Holiday Dinner Basket Surprise in Newark, NJ

This holiday season, The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation (TMJF) brought joy and much-needed support to the Newark community through its annual Holiday Dinner Basket Surprise. In a heartfelt initiative led by Malcolm Jenkins, author, philanthropist, and two-time Super Bowl Champion, TMJF and its partners provided 155 deserving families with not only a holiday feast, but also toys and other essentials, embodying the spirit of giving and community support.

Since its inception, the Holiday Dinner Basket Surprise has been a cornerstone of TMJF’s efforts to combat food insecurity, particularly during a time of year that can be financially stressful for many families. This year, the need was more significant than ever with rising food costs deeply affecting the community. In response, the foundation, along with its community partners and volunteers, worked tirelessly to assemble and distribute festive holiday dinner baskets filled with nutritious and festive foods.

The baskets included everything needed for a full holiday meal: turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, potatoes, green beans, cornbread mix, collard greens, mac-n-cheese, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, condensed milk, chicken broth, bread, apple juice, and even an apple pie. Additionally, each basket contained utensils, plates, a roasting pan, and a holiday greeting card personally signed by Malcolm Jenkins.

This wonderful event was made possible through the generous support of Amerigroup and contributions from the Black Leadership Forum at Prudential, which organized a toy drive. Students from KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy also played a crucial role, volunteering their time to assist with the packing of the baskets. Their involvement underscored the importance of community service and the impact of youth participation in charitable activities.

Sharmaine Lewis, Founder and Student Leader at KIPP Newark, remarked on the significance of the school hosting the event for the second consecutive year, emphasizing the value of providing such opportunities for students to give back to their community.

Gwendolyn V. Jenkins, TMJF President & CEO, highlighted the ongoing challenge of food insecurity, particularly during the holiday season. She noted, "This time of year is especially hard for families. For the past 13 years, we have held this event in multiple cities of the Foundation’s footprint, as we’ve observed the rapidly growing number of people, especially children, who experience food insecurity.”

TMJF extends its gratitude to all the sponsors, partners, and volunteers, including ShopRite of Newark, Brookdale ShopRite, individual donors, and the various community partners listed at the end of this release. Their support is invaluable in making the Holiday Dinner Basket Surprise a success year after year.

As we move forward, TMJF is calling on the public to support these initiatives by making a donation. Every contribution, regardless of size, can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need. To help, please visit https://www.themalcolmjenkinsfoundation.org/donate.

This holiday season, through the combined efforts of all involved, TMJF has not only provided meals but has also strengthened the fabric of the community, ensuring that the spirit of the holidays is a reality for all, regardless of their circumstances.

Empowering Camden: American Water Charitable Foundation and New Jersey American Water Contribute $30,000 to The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation

In a powerful collaboration dedicated to making a positive impact, the American Water Charitable Foundation and New Jersey American Water have joined forces to contribute $30,000 to The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. This significant donation aims to combat food insecurity in the City of Camden, reflecting a shared commitment to community well-being and inclusivity.

The American Water Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization associated with American Water, has provided $25,000, while New Jersey American Water has generously contributed an additional $5,000. This substantial support bolsters The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation's flagship community outreach event, Get Ready Fest®.

Get Ready Fest® stands as a beacon of awareness for food insecurity and addresses various challenges faced by vulnerable communities. Families attending the event gain access to crucial resources spanning education, career readiness, housing, financial literacy, health and wellness, senior and veteran services, as well as COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. A highlight of the fest is the TMJF Pop-up Grocery store, ensuring families leave with 40 pounds of food—enough to sustain them for up to 10 days.

Carrie Williams, President of the American Water Charitable Foundation, expresses enthusiasm for the partnership with Malcolm Jenkins and The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. She emphasizes the foundation's strong commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity, echoing the shared passion for making a positive impact on communities served by American Water.

Gwendolyn V. Jenkins, President and CEO of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, extends heartfelt gratitude for the generosity of the American Water Charitable Foundation and New Jersey American Water. She highlights the significance of such contributions during challenging times when families are juggling the additional costs of school supplies, clothing, gas, and putting food on the table.

Mark McDonough, President of New Jersey American Water, echoes this sentiment, expressing delight in the partnership with The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. He underscores their commitment to supporting organizations that enhance the quality of life in the communities they serve.

In a city where 65% of families experience hunger and nearly 37% live below the poverty line, The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation has already made a substantial impact by serving over 10,000 families—equating to approximately 40,000 individuals. The recent contribution will undoubtedly further these efforts, making a meaningful difference in the ongoing fight against food insecurity in Camden.

What sets this collaboration apart is not just the financial support but also the active involvement of employees from both American Water and New Jersey American Water. Their hands-on participation in packing boxes, distributing food, and more exemplifies a genuine dedication to community outreach and improving the lives of those in need.

As the contributions flow into Camden, the collective efforts of the American Water Charitable Foundation, New Jersey American Water, and The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation stand as a testament to the positive change that can be achieved when organizations come together with a shared vision of creating brighter, more equitable futures for our communities.

TMJF launches Hunger Relief initiatives in Louisiana and New Jersey

As part of Hunger Action Month, TMJF helps combat food insecurity with initiatives to feed 40,000 children in South Jersey and hundreds of New Orleans’ families

September 21, 2020 - This week 2x Super Bowl Champion and 3x Pro-Bowl New Orleans Saints Safety Malcolm Jenkins and The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation (TMJF) launched new hunger relief initiatives in New Orleans and South Jersey to support the fight against food insecurity. 

Since 2014, TMJF has conducted Get Ready Fest™, the Foundation’s signature community outreach event that provides hundreds of pre-identified families with food, health and wellness products and essential resources.  Due to the impact of COVID-19 on impoverished communities, The Foundation recognizes its’ importance to continue its hunger relief efforts and help those suffering from a lack of access to food and nutrition with an area of focus in New Orleans and South Jersey. 

GET READY FEST - FEEDING THE 504

As part of its 10th Anniversary year, TMJF initiated its “Get Ready Fest™ – Feeding the 504” in collaboration with the Winn-Dixie Gives Foundation, Second Harvest of South Louisiana and the Broadmoor Improvement Association Food Pantry. In light of the pandemic, an active hurricane season and the alarming fact that one in four children is suffering from food insecurity in Louisiana, TMJF is committed in their partnership to feed 504 families every month in the New Orleans community through the end of 2020. “Get Ready Fest™ – Feeding the 504” will allow the Broadmoor Food Pantry to double the number of families it serves on a monthly basis in the 504 area code, who are living in poverty-stricken conditions.

“Far too many children go to bed hungry, and the impact of Covid-19 has been devastating for families. ”

— — Malcolm Jenkins

#GIVE40

Additionally, the Foundation joins the Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) in their mission to combat food insecurity by donating $10,000 to the organization. Help is still needed. In South Jersey alone, 40,000 children are starting the school year facing hunger. The critical need for food assistance in these communities of South Jersey has sparked the Give40 to Help 40,000 Children initiative. Donors are encouraged to participate in Hunger Action Month along with TMJF, as it only takes $40 to provide 120 meals for food-insecure children.