Celebrating Community Success at Economic Perspective - Camden County

We are thrilled to share the highlights from an inspiring event that took place recently in Camden County, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey. The "Economic Perspective - Camden County" was not only a gathering of influential local leaders but also a shining moment for The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation (TMJF) as one of the proud exhibiting nonprofit partners.

A Special Congratulations

First and foremost, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to James Martin, Vice President of Santander, who won an Eagles football autographed by TMJF's Chairman, Malcolm Jenkins. His win marks a memorable moment in the event, celebrating the spirit of community and philanthropy that TMJF stands for.

Strong Community Presence

The event was graced by the presence of the Mayors of Camden City, Cherry Hill Township, Haddon Township, and Winslow Township. Their collective commitment highlights the collaborative efforts to foster growth and prosperity in the region.

Get Ready Fest: Mark Your Calendars!

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce our upcoming Get Ready Fest® in August 2024. Thanks to our presenting sponsor, the American Water Charitable Foundation, this event promises to be another milestone in our ongoing efforts to support and uplift the Camden community.

Ways to Support

Join Us in Making a Difference

We invite you to join us in making a significant impact. There are a few sponsorship opportunities still available for those who share our vision of empowering communities and changing lives in Camden. Your support can help us continue to provide much-needed resources and initiatives in the area.

Together, we can make a difference.

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.

Get Ready Fest - Brings 800 Camden families wellness resources, food and essentials.

Since 2014, Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins has brought Get Ready Fest, his foundation’s signature charity event, to cities across the country. In Camden, New Jersey, 35 percent of households live below the poverty level and far too many children go to bed hungry. This is why The Malcom Jenkins Foundation and PepsiCo partnered with Feed the Children to kick off “Get Ready Fest: Helping Feed Camden” providing 800 Camden-area families with wellness resources, food and essentials.The event kicked off at 12 noon at Antioch Baptist Church, 690 Ferry Ave, Camden, NJ.“The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation (TMJF) is proud to team up and partner for this important event in the Camden area,” said Malcolm Jenkins, a New Jersey native.  Thursday's event was its first in Camden.

"We thought it was very important (to come to Camden)," he said. "It's that city that's right there on the other side of the bridge that you forget about, but me being from Jersey, we wanted to do something in New Jersey specifically and Camden just made sense to us.  Despite the rain, which Antioch pastor John Parker joked "baptized us all," about 800 families turned out for boxes of food, toiletries, books, school uniforms and supplies, and help with an array of social services.

Each family identified by Antioch Baptist Church received:

• One 25-pound box of nonperishable food items
• One 15-pound box of personal-care items
• One box of AVON products
• Books from Disney Publishing Worldwide
• Frito-Lay snacks
• PepsiCo beverages
• Life Original Cereal
• Quaker Standard Oats
• Chewy Granola Bars
• Variety of Campbell Soup products

In addition to providing enough food and daily essentials, the Get Ready Fest TM event offers an array of health-related services and information through the support of various community resource partners. These services include health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, etc., education and social service information relating to GED, job training, and senior and veteran support services. Additionally, the event includes a children’s resource area that provides services, children’s books, school supplies, haircuts, face painting, and snacks.