Annual Appeal
After more than 112 years, demand for Nutley Family Service Bureau (NFSB) services has never been greater. As we see an unprecedented rise in the number of people seeking mental health counseling, food pantry services and housing support and public assistance through our case management program, NFSB continues to answer the call with our nationally accredited Council on Accreditation (COA) services. Consider how your donations are changing people’s lives.
Jane and Ken and their three children lived in an unsafe, unhealthy apartment. When one of their children developed serious health issues, their doctor urged them to move to a safer home. It was a difficult decision, but one they knew they had to make for their child’s well-being. Their move came with a heavy price. Their landlord held them responsible for breaking their lease, and the family was left paying off that debt while trying to manage rent for their new, safe but more expensive home. Both Jane and Ken work full-time, and Ken drives for a ride-share app late into the night and on weekends just to keep up. Despite their tireless efforts, the family quickly found themselves falling behind. A friend suggested they reach out to the Nutley Family Service Bureau’s Food Pantry. At first, they hesitated. “We didn’t think we qualified,” Jane said. “We both work—we just thought we should be able to handle it.” When they finally came to the Pantry, they were exhausted and hungry. The NFSB Pantry team welcomed the family and sent them home with bags of groceries—enough to fill their empty cabinets and bring relief to the entire family. Ken later told us, “That first night, when we all sat down together for a hot, home-cooked meal in our new home, we cried. The NFSB Pantry literally saved us. I had no idea where our next meal was coming from before that.”
Thanks to your generosity and compassion, families like Ken and Jane’s are finding stability, nourishment, and dignity in times of crisis. Please consider a gift to the 2025 annual fund to support essential programs that give hope for a brighter future to thousands of people in our community.
We wish you peace, joy, and hope for this holiday season!
Dave Popkin,
Board President
Katherine Carmichael,
Executive Director
Since 1913, NFSB has supported residents through two World Wars, the Great Depression, Superstorm Sandy, and the Covid pandemic. Of course, everyday life presents its own challenges with relationships, work, money, and stress. Because the community has always been there for us, we’ve always been there for the community.
As proud as we are of our history, we’re focused on the present and future. We need your help to continue supporting neighbors through our mental health program, case management services, food pantry, and thrift shop.
Please consider a year-end gift to the 2023 annual fund. Your tax-deductible donation will go directly to supporting these much-needed resources right here in our community. Thank you so much for your generosity, compassion, and commitment to helping others!
