'It will be a devastation to some.' Newark food pantry at risk of shutting down
Hundreds of Newark residents line up on Roseville Avenue every weekend to collect their groceries for the week, free of charge.
Top Stories
A community food pantry in Newark is at risk of shutting down due to funding difficulties.
Founder of Treehouse Cares Tanya Veltz told News 12 her organization may not be able to continue its work without outside grants.
"We did everything that we could. What else is there to do? Unfortunately...it will be a devastation to some. A lot of people who come to Treehouse, they rely on the services we provide," Veltz said.
Hundreds of Newark residents line up on Roseville Avenue every weekend to collect their groceries for the week, free of charge.
Veltz said Treehouse serves between 600 and 1,000 people every time. However, she said after the organization lost out on a major grant from the state, the future has been uncertain.
"When we didn't receive the NJEDA [New Jersey Economic Development Authority] grant, I kind of turned to my husband and said, 'now what?' he said, 'Just keep going until we can't go anymore," Veltz said.
Treehouse allows families to pick up produce, diapers, coats and even has a mobile food pantry that meets people where they are.
"I never saw myself being in this situation where I had to get in line for the food pantry. I've been on my job for 20 years, but they laid us off," Newark resident Tawanda Griffin said. "Stuff is tight for everybody. So I started following Tanya on Facebook. She helps the community."
Treehouse partners with other organizations, like Community Food Bank of New Jersey, to stay stocked. Though, in the coming months, Veltz said community partnerships may not be enough to keep Treehouse up and running.
"We don't ask for much, but we do ask for financial help to continue to do the work that we do," she said.
The hundreds that Veltz and her husband provide assistance for said they're hoping Treehouse can find a way to keep going.
"To tell you the truth, she's a lifesaver. If she was not out here and doing what she does, I can't even say how many people would just not have, including myself," said Henyetta Allen.
To learn more about Treehouse Cares, visit the pantry's website.
