News from Project Self-Sufficiency

  With a little help from her grandparents, Lois and Harold Pellow, 16-year-old Ali Stoner, collected 180 bags packed with new school supplies and donated them to local non-profit agency Project Self-Sufficiency.   Stoner solicited the help of her fellow athletes at High Point and the effort blossomed, eventually pulling in binders, pencils, paper, notebooks, and other essentials.   The items were stashed in decorative drawstring bags and made available to Project Self-Sufficiency for distribution to low-income students during August.   Retired educator Lois Pellow is a longtime Project Self-Sufficiency supporter and a member of the agency’s Leadership Council.   “Every child deserves to start the year with new school supplies and so many kids are hurting right now,” commented Pellow. Stoner, who has known about the needs of Project Self-Sufficiency families for many years thanks to her grandmother, was enthusiastic about the prospect of gathering supplies for local children.   “

  Beverly B. Gordon, beloved wife, treasured friend, philanthropist, and longtime Sussex County resident passed away on August 27, 2020.   She will be deeply mourned by her adoring husband of 35 years, Bruce Gordon, and remembered by many not only for her extensive philanthropic work but for her warm, vivacious, and caring personality. Beverly had a deep appreciation for beauty, wherever it could be found. Her passion for architecture and design, her numerous artistic talents from watercolor painting to floral arrangement, and her flawless personal style all reflected this. She was that rare individual who could be equally at home at a racetrack or dancing to the tunes of her favorite local band, Snake Oil Willie, as she was enjoying gourmet food at the most sophisticated events. Those blessed to know her friendship will remember it as an all-encompassing wave that swept over not just that person but everyone in their orbit. Her huge heart extended to animals as well as humans; Bever

  The arrival of the Coronavirus in northwestern New Jersey was accompanied by job uncertainty, economic hardship, and food insecurity for thousands of local residents.   In response, Project Self-Sufficiency ramped up its already robust food distribution program, The Food Project, Nourishing our Neighbors.   During the months of April, May, June and July, Project Self-Sufficiency provided 49,826 meals to 3,559 individuals, and distributed 14,236 bags of groceries.   The agency offers free food and limited personal care products to Sussex and Warren County residents, Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.   Patrons need not be agency participants.   “We are so grateful to our Board of Directors and the hundreds of individuals, local businesses, and corporate foundations whose tremendous support has enabled us to purchase food to meet this unprecedented need,” commented Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.   “This public health crisis has placed an overwhelm