Jackson food pantry in need of new home, facing june 1st eviction

Jackson Township, NJ – Mayor Michael Reina has informed the Jackson Woman of Today’s food pantry which is operating temporarily out of the Jackson Senior Center that they have to vacate the building by June 1st.

This comes weeks after the pantry’s previous location at the Department of Public Works building was condemned due to a rat infestation.

The township allowed the group to operate out of the senior center, but the mayor cites several issues as to why they need to move out before Election Day. He cited the need for the senior center to be converted into a polling place, complaints from senior center staff, and infractions by the food pantry staff.

Jackson Council President Jennifer Kuhn expressed disappointment in the mayor’s decision and is now asking community organizations to help find a new home for the important service.

“We were all shocked this weekend to learn that the mayor had told them to move out by the first, giving them just over two weeks find a new building to continue feeding our residents in need,” Kuhn said. “The council is committed to maintaining this service and cherish our town’s relationship with the food pantry. This is no way to run a town.”

In a message to Kuhn, Reina said, “The Jackson Food Pantry will unfortunately have to temporarily suspend operations on or about the timing of the June primary as their location is in the exact same spot as the voting districts in that area.”

Reina said he had notified the Women of Today and that they told him they will still be able to distribute gift cards during that time, but Reina then said the move is not temporary.

“We have received numerous and alarming complaints from the Senior Center itself and the Commission for the Disabled,” Reina said.

The mayor said volunteer Ocean County inmates who help stock shelves have been seen using bathrooms unattended and ‘walking about’ during senior and disabled commission times.

Reina also cited Jackson Women of Today for leaving food unattended outside and blocking doorways, including food left out with proper refrigeration having to be discarded.

The mayor said is also helping the pantry to find a longterm solution.

“The council was never notified about this until we started receiving hundreds of complaints from community members concerned about the mayor’s closure,” said Kuhn. “We wish we were told ahead of time and had more time to help them, but that was the first time we were notified of these issues by the administration. This caught us, and the entire town by surprise.”

Although their former location at the Public Works building has been exterminated, it has to undergo demolition and reconstruction, but Reina said the pantry will not return to the building as it was never intended to house the food pantry.

Several community organizations are already offering space, Kuhn said, including a church and the Jackson Board of Education.

“I’m confident we can find them a new home, with all of the caring and concerned people in town, but I just wish were told ahead of time,” Kuhn said. “Jackson residents rely on the service the Jackson Women of Today provide.”

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