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Here's how you can help a North Jersey food pantry win an SUV and $30,000

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  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 5:27 GMT by NorthJersey.com
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North Jersey Food Pantry Ramps Up Efforts to Win an SUV‑Cash Prize

By: NorthJersey.com Staff Writer
Published: October 3, 2025

A local food pantry in northern New Jersey is turning a community fundraiser into a high‑stakes charity challenge that could bring much-needed mobility to one of the state’s most vulnerable populations. The pantry’s latest campaign—“Help North Jersey Food Pantry Win SUV Cash”—is a rallying cry to help the organization secure a $25,000 cash prize that would finance the purchase of a new sport‑utility vehicle (SUV). That SUV would dramatically improve the pantry’s ability to distribute food, transport volunteers, and serve people who would otherwise face major logistical barriers to accessing fresh groceries.

The Pantry’s Mission

The North Jersey Food Pantry (NJFP) is a volunteer‑run nonprofit that serves more than 8,000 families in the Hudson Valley and Bergen County area. According to the pantry’s own data, roughly 60 % of its patrons rely on the service for basic grocery items, and 35 % need specialized dietary supplies that can’t be found in typical food‑bank shipments.

“We’ve always struggled with getting the right items to the right people at the right time,” says pantry director Mariah Chen. “We’ve built relationships with donors and local farmers, but we’ve never had the capacity to transport large volumes of fresh produce or specialty items quickly enough. That’s why an SUV would make a world of difference.”

Chen explains that the pantry’s current transportation arrangement consists of a van donated by a local auto shop in 2018. While the van has served them well, it is now cramped, unreliable in inclement weather, and has limited storage for temperature‑controlled goods. “We’re not allowed to take certain perishable items out in the rain or in extreme heat because the van can’t keep them cold,” she says. “That limits our service and hurts the families who need those items most.”

The Challenge: A $25,000 SUV Cash Prize

The fundraising initiative was launched in partnership with a regional dealership, GreenField Motors, which announced a charity contest earlier this month. The dealership will award a $25,000 cash prize to a qualifying nonprofit that successfully raises a minimum of $5,000 in support of a “food‑access challenge.” NJFP’s entry was accepted, and the pantry’s story was featured on GreenField’s website, accompanied by a short documentary video (link to video: https://greenfieldmotors.com/charity-spotlight).

GreenField’s CEO, Tom Hernandez, said, “We’re thrilled to support an organization that’s making such a tangible impact in the community. We want to help them get the resources they need to deliver healthy food to families who can’t afford to shop on their own.”

The contest has a clear timeline: the pantry must reach $5,000 by October 20, 2025, and the winning nonprofit will be announced on October 25. If NJFP wins, the dealership will provide the cash prize in full—allowing the pantry to purchase an SUV outright or use the money for a lease, maintenance, and necessary refrigeration equipment.

Community Involvement

NJFP has tapped a broad network of supporters for the fundraiser. The campaign’s social‑media page—“#SUVforNJFP” on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter—has garnered more than 12,000 likes and shares. The pantry’s official website lists a dedicated donation portal that accepts credit cards, PayPal, and direct bank transfers. (Link: https://www.northjerseyfoodpantry.org/donate).

Local businesses have stepped up as well. A group of grocery chains including FreshMart and OrganicChoice pledged a combined $2,000 through a matching program. In addition, the community of Hackensack has hosted a “Food Drive Friday” event on September 25, during which volunteers collected over 1,200 pounds of fresh produce. The event was livestreamed on the pantry’s YouTube channel (link: https://www.youtube.com/njfpfooddrive).

One of the pantry’s most passionate volunteers, 27‑year‑old Malik Thompson, shares how the SUV would transform his volunteer schedule: “I’ve always driven the van from my apartment to the pantry, but it’s a long drive and I can’t get many items back at once. With an SUV, we could set up a delivery hub in a lower‑income neighborhood, and I could help bring groceries to people who can’t get to the pantry.”

The Bigger Picture

While the contest is a specific opportunity, the underlying issue reflects a broader crisis. Food insecurity in the North Jersey area has surged in the past year, as inflation, high food prices, and limited transportation options have left families scrambling for adequate nutrition. According to a recent study by the New York‑New Jersey Food Policy Council, the region’s food‑bank network serves 10 % of the county’s households, yet 37 % of those families still report insufficient access to fresh produce.

NJFP’s CEO, Laura Patel, underscores the systemic nature of the problem: “We’re tackling a piece of a bigger puzzle. An SUV is just one tool, but it’s a powerful tool that could set the stage for further expansion of our services.”

The pantry’s success could inspire other nonprofits to explore similar contests or partnership opportunities. The city of Hackensack has already pledged to provide a “food‑mobility grant” of $5,000 to any nonprofit that can demonstrate increased delivery capacity. (Link to grant announcement: https://www.hackensackcity.gov/foodmobilitygrant.)

How to Help

The pantry is encouraging residents and supporters to contribute to the fundraiser in several ways:

1. Monetary Donations – The pantry’s donation portal accepts contributions of any size. Every dollar brings the $5,000 goal a step closer.
2. Social‑Media Shout‑outs – Share the pantry’s story on your personal feeds using the hashtag #SUVforNJFP to spread awareness.
3. Volunteer Sign‑ups – The pantry needs volunteers to help with food sorting, delivery prep, and the upcoming “Food Drive Friday.”
4. Corporate Matching – If you work for a local business, ask if you can match a portion of the donations you receive.

“We’re not just hoping to win an SUV,” Chen says. “We’re hoping to build a lasting partnership that keeps our community fed, healthy, and connected. Every dollar and every share matters.”

Final Thoughts

The “Help North Jersey Food Pantry Win SUV Cash” initiative is more than a fundraiser; it’s a spotlight on the intersection of food insecurity, transportation barriers, and community resilience. The pantry’s story, shared through a combination of local media coverage, social media engagement, and community partnership, exemplifies how a modest $25,000 cash prize could serve as a catalyst for lasting change.

The countdown to October 20 is already in motion, and the pantry’s supporters have already pushed $4,200 toward the target. If the community continues to rally, the North Jersey Food Pantry could soon drive a brand‑new SUV across the city’s streets, delivering hope one grocery basket at a time. For updates on the contest and to support the pantry’s campaign, visit the official donation page at https://www.northjerseyfoodpantry.org/donate or follow the hashtag #SUVforNJFP on Instagram and Twitter.