Above: Gottheimer helps load DoorDash car delivering meals from Ridgewood to Bergenfield

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — On December 22, 2021, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) helped deliver 150 meals with a local DoorDash driver, from locally-owned Ridgewood restaurant Cravings Tapas Bistro, to Borough of Bergenfield’s Senior Activity Center and Brookside Gardens Senior Apartments.  It’s also part of our effort to help combat food insecurity.

Gottheimer was joined by a DoorDash “Dasher,” with meals donated through Feed the Frontlines NJ, an initiative with the dual purpose of feeding health care workers and local groups battling the pandemic. The meals were prepared by Cravings Tapas Bistro, a locally-owned Ridgewood restaurant that has been serving the community since 2013.

“Here in New Jersey, we have hundreds of thousands of seniors who either live isolated, alone, or in or near poverty. It’s our duty to take care of our seniors, not just during the holidays, but all year-round. Thankfully, we’ve enacted bipartisan federal legislation that invests in senior nutrition services and to support local community organizations, and that also helps us recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “It’s great to see local initiatives — with businesses like DoorDash, organizations like Feed the Frontlines, and other working with our great local North Jersey restaurants to serve members of the greatest generation and our frontline workers.”

“Our mission at DoorDash is to empower local economies, and we’re proud to broaden access to food and other essential goods in the face of growing need across New Jersey,” said Toney Anaya, Global Head of Government Relations at DoorDash. “We’re honored to partner with Congressman Gottheimer, who has been a champion in fighting tirelessly for New Jersey restaurants and small businesses that have shown tremendous resilience throughout the pandemic.”

“We greatly appreciate DoorDash’s sponsorship in helping to provide meals to our residents who are food insecure and for Congressman Gottheimer helping to shine a light on this vital issue,” said Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Zur, a leader within Bergen County Food Security Task Force.

“Making sure we are able to help Feed the Frontlines is an important objective at our restaurant and we are pleased to partner with Doordash,” said Marcello Czernizer, owner of Cravings Tapas Bistro in Ridgewood.

“The Bergenfield Food Pantry is an important asset in our community, and we thank Feeding the Frontlines, DoorDash and of course Congressman Gottheimer for their assistance today,” said Bergenfield Borough Administrator Corey Gallo, with the Bergenfield Food Pantry.

“Connecting Ridgewood restaurants with Feeding the Frontlines speaks to the support for all Bergen County residents in our community,” said Ridgewood Councilman Paul Vagianos, owner of It’s Greek to Me in Ridgewood.

“Helping the food insecure community survive the global pandemic is critical to the mission of the Healthbarn Foundation. We are grateful to Governor Murphy and the NJEDA for making this all possible,” said Stacy Antine, Director of Healthbarn Foundation.