Many in the LGBT community will serve the needy at Toni’s Kitchen
New Jersey LGBT community leaders have organized a day of service to carry on the work of LGBT matriarch and icon Barbra “Babs” Siperstein. With the support of the NJ LGBT Chamber of Commerce and in partnership with Toni’s Kitchen, The Pride Network effort will address food insecurity in Montclair. Studies show that approximately one out of five children in the area are in need.
“Babs’s humble commitment to public service,” said Executive Director of The Pride Network, Jacob Rudolph, “is a model for all people who strive to empower others and serve with purpose in the world. The effects of Babs’s legacy will be felt for generations; and, going forward, we hope to honor her memory by serving those in need of compassion in action.”
After two decades of pioneering advocacy, Siperstein was fortunate enough to sit beside Governor Phil Murphy as he signed the Babs Sipersten Law into effect, only two days before her death at age 76. The namesake legislation has made New Jersey the 17th state in the nation to permit transgender citizens to update the gender listed on their birth records.
“By coordinating this day of service with The Pride Network, we are providing the opportunity for our members and community to engage and give back on a local level,” says NJ LGBT Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Stephen Blazejewski. “Toni’s Kitchen’s Backpack Program provides weekly backpacks filled with healthy non-perishables to local children in need, and we can all play a part in supporting vulnerable youth.”
On February 24, the Babs Siperstein Day of Service event will take place at Toni’s Kitchen in Montclair from 10-11:30am. Highly requested donation items include peanut butter (no glass jars), pasta, pasta sauce (no glass jars), healthy cereal, rice, beans, snack bars, raisins, oatmeal, and tuna.
Volunteers are welcome and must RSVP via email to jrudolph@thepridenetwork.org. For more information, visit thepridenetwork.org/about. And for more information on the NJ LGBT Chamber visit njlgbtchamber.org/about.
