Toni’s Kitchen To Participate in NJEDA Grant To Help Montclair Restaurants and Residents with Food Need

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA”) announced a major boost to struggling Montclair restaurants through the infusion of $663,750.00 in funds to purchase meals that will then be distributed to residents in needs. The grant, “Sustain and Serve NJ,” will be administered by Toni’s Kitchen, a food ministry of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

This grant will have a material impact in the restaurant community. It is designed to be used quickly, within three months, in order to get immediate relief to participating restaurants. Meals, at a cost of $10 each, will be purchased using grant funding and Toni’s Kitchen will coordinate with The Salvation Army, MESH, the Montclair Inn and Family Promise to ensure purchased meals go to local residents with food need.

New Jersey Senator Nia Gill, Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller, and former Mayor Ed Remsen of the Mayor’s Covid Task Force (Non-Profit Subcommittee) all put time and energy toward supporting this initiative. The grant was submitted by Toni’s Kitchen, a food ministry of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, and is uniquely designed to be a collaborative effort among Montclair restaurants and local non-profits.

Senator Gill was delighted to learn of the grant. “Toni’s Kitchen and our local restaurants are integral to the fabric of our community,” said Senator Gill. “The Sustain and Serve NJ grant will provide much needed funding and support as they purchase meals in bulk from participating restaurants and distribute them at no cost within our community. I applaud the collaborative effort of Toni’s Kitchen, MESH, The Salvation Army, Family Promise, Montclair Inn and other non-profit organizations for taking the necessary steps to feed the many displaced people in our community due to the harsh reality of COVID 19.”

Mayor Spiller is excited at the potential impact of the grant.

“Helping non-profits like Toni’s Kitchen secure much needed grant dollars to help serve our community is one of the primary objectives of my COVID-19 Task Force,” says Spiller. “This grant will not only further the mission of Toni’s Kitchen, but will also be a boost for our local restaurants during this difficult time. A big thank you to everyone involved in bringing this to fruition.”