Oak Ridge, N.J. – March 11, 2020 – Lakeland Bank recently presented a $10,000 Community Impact Grant to Fulfill at the B.E.A.T Center and a $10,000 grant to the Toms River Business Development Corporation. The purpose of Lakeland Bank’s Community Impact Grant Program is to address specific community-focused initiatives and invest in eligible high-performing nonprofit organizations that make a strong and lasting impact on our communities.
“We are pleased to provide a Community Impact Grant to both Fulfill and the Toms River Business Development Corporation,” said Thomas Shara, president and chief executive officer. “Both of these nonprofits have created programs that improve the quality of life for the residents in this area and we truly value the resources they offer and the work they do to make our community a better place.”
Fulfill
“Fulfill feeds 136,000 people in need in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, 50,000 of them are children. We are grateful for Lakeland Bank's generous donation to continue our mission to serve our hungry neighbors," said Fulfill CEO and President, Kim Guadagno, New Jersey's former Lieutenant Governor. Fulfill, formerly the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, has its main food distribution center in Neptune and a second food distribution center in Toms River at the B.E.A.T Center. The Toms River location also has a state of the art commercial kitchen where Fulfill's Culinary Training Program is held.
Fulfill’s mission is to alleviate hunger and build food security in Monmouth and Ocean Counties and to make sure all people at all times have access to enough nutritious food to maintain an active and healthy life. The organization also provides a full suite of programs to provide the resources people need to become self-sufficient. Visit Fulfill.org to learn more about their mission and partnership with the Peoples Pantry and the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen to provide neighbors in need with access to food, education and other resources.
Toms River Business Development Corporation (TRBDC)
“Lakeland’s support for this program shows us they are here to stay in Ocean County and want to see the county seat thrive,” said Alizar N. Zorojew, Executive Director of the Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District. “With their help, we are able to expand the Façade Improvement Program this year and hopefully that leads to more commercial property owners taking us up on this opportunity to beautify their store fronts.”
The TRBDC, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, manages the Downtown Toms River not-for-profit organization which works to promote and implement the economic revitalization of the downtown Toms River business district. Downtown Toms River in partnership with the TRBDC developed the Façade Improvement Program to encourage businesses to improve the appearance of their place of business and offer an incentive to draw new businesses to the downtown area. The program offers up to 33% of construction cost to a maximum grant of $2,500 in matching funds to owners of commercial property and businesses located in the Downtown Toms River’s footprint to improve the appearance of individual building facades, signs and awnings. For more details, contact Alizar N. Zorojew at 732-341-8738 or anzorojew at downtowntomsriver dot com.
About Lakeland Bank
Lakeland Bank is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:LBAI), which has over $6 billion in total assets. With an extensive branch network and commercial lending centers throughout New Jersey and Highland Mills, N.Y., the Bank offers business and retail banking products and services. Business services include commercial loans and lines of credit, commercial real estate loans, loans for healthcare services, asset based lending, equipment financing, small business loans and lines, and cash management services. Consumer services include online and mobile banking, home equity loans and lines, mortgage options and wealth management solutions. Lakeland is proud to be recognized as New Jersey’s #1 Best-In-State Banks by Forbes and Statista, rated a 5-Star Bank by Bauer Financial and named one of New Jersey’s 50 Fastest Growing Companies by NJBIZ. Visit LakelandBank.com for more information.