According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 44.2 million people lived in food-insecure households in 2022.  Even for those who can cover the expenses of meals, there is still a growing need for additional services to be more accessible such as education, employment, housing, and utilizing online platforms. 

In order to meet the needs of local communities and to make resources more accessible, the Gateway Community Resource Center located in Boonton, NJ on the ground floor of First Presbyterian Church, is a lifeline for people all over the state. Director of public relations Denise Oyola says, “Even though we are completely unassociated with the church, they gift us the space and utilities. Their only caveat is that we have to serve the community.”

Despite the non-profit organization opening in September 2022, they have had a significant impact on providing opportunities by offering countless resources. President Marilyn Ward, a Boonton resident for 61 years, says, “There’s a whole group of people out there who need some extra help, that’s what we do. Everything that we do is free and anyone can come, no matter what their income is.”

The food pantry Loaves and Fishes, located next door, receives deliveries from local food stores like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, ShopRite, farmers markets, and donations from all over. Oyola says, “It’s empowering for them because they can choose their own food, they aren’t just handed a bag.”

According to Oyola, there are two phases to helping the community. The food pantry was phase one; after moving from the United Methodist Church in Boonton in 2019, they grew from serving 35 families to 180 every week. 

Phase two, Gateway, is focused on expanding beyond food insecurity to help educate and enrich the community members and by partnering with other non-profits in the areas to deliver programs and services to meet those needs. Partners they have worked with include Navigating Hope, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Morris Arts, AARP, and more. Oyola says, “Creature Comfort Pet Therapy has come with their therapy dogs, particularly for the pantry clients because it is incredibly soothing. When you have food insecurity you are likely dealing with a lot of things, the dogs really put a smile on their faces.” 

A popular class at Gateway is ESL (English as a second language). Oyola says, “Our volunteers provide language translation when needed; many of our clients are not English-speaking or it is very limited. are looking to add a third class during the week.”

The volunteers are imperative to the success of the services. Chief administrator and retired pastor Harold Johnson says, “Service is a part of Marilyn’s DNA. She has magnificent stories to tell about her parents who would take her along when they went to do service or anything that had to do with lifting up the community. It’s just who she is.”

Oyola feels extremely connected to these people, she seems often. “These people are in my world, I’m one of them and they’re one of me, I run into them on main street. I want to help them grow.”

The clients are typically adults; they too, can learn from the volunteers. Oyola says, “They will instill that in their children, not only that mentality of helping others but also to be able to provide for them more.”

It is essential that the resource center continuously adjusts its offerings to meet the needs of the people. Ward says, “There are things happening right now that we hadn’t thought about. We are going to change our programs every time there’s a new need. We don’t know what the problem is going to be tomorrow, but we’re going to have to face it. “

Gateway is looking to sharpen its focus and planning for 2024 as they head into their second year. Oyola says, “Our focus will be health in all areas, computer literacy, conversational English, employment services, and legal and housing services.” 

Ward finally feels like their hard work is paying off.  “I see light at the end of the tunnel; we are seeing a lot more people interested in programs and coming to us for help. They’ve taken us in new directions, it’s exciting.”

Because of the fast growth of the food pantry and resource center, Ward thinks the future may look different. “At some point, I think we are going to grow out of here and need a new space. That’s what I look for; for growth and new adventures.”

Johnson says, “I think we are given life on this earth to be a community, we’re not designed to be isolated individuals. We happen to love this particular community because it is so mixed. It’s sort of a microcosm of the world in terms of all the ethnic groups, languages, and places of origin; it’s what makes us healthy and gives us purpose.”