New Jersey is now the 5th most expensive place to rent in the country, it previously was ranked 7th…thus heading in the wrong direction. This is according to the 2026 Out of Reach data report (published by the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (the Network). The report also states that, “Full-time workers need to earn $43.89 per hour to afford a modest, two-bedroom home at Fair Market Rent in New Jersey. The average renter in the Garden State earns $24.92 per hour.”

This of course does not include utilities, food, clothing and other basic necessities and we all know those costs have gone up in recent years. That is why we need to stand together as a community to empower those experiencing a housing crisis. It could be any one of us that unexpectedly has an illness, death of a partner, loss of job, or loss of home from fire, flooding or other natural disasters. These unpredictable and unplanned life events often are the reasons people in our community reach out asking for help.

We’ve seen an uptick in people looking for assistance. As quickly as we fill our food shelf with non-perishables and cabinet with basic toiletries like toothpaste and deodorant…it needs to be replenished. I recently placed two stuffed teddy bears in the cabinet within the hour a little girl came in and asked if she could have one…of course she could. It’s a tiny gesture but meant so much to her and was unexpected to her in a good way.

We always gladly accept donations of non-perishable foods and full size toiletries. Won’t you help?