Our Community Speaks

Ilyse & Lesly's Story 

I was introduced to Lesly through Amanda in January of 2022 at GRACE. She was truly struggling with finding healthy foods to eat - she just did not know how and where to start, which is very common. She needed, per her doctor, to lower her cholesterol - which was high - and lose some weight. She also wanted to learn about portion control and just some easy movement and exercise that could fit into her lifestyle.
 
My main goal and approach with Lesly was to let her know she had a friend in me. I would be her partner in navigating her meals and food - and just being someone that truly cared.  I wanted Lesly to have the ability to give herself some grace. She is such a sweet and soft-spoken woman who worries so much about her family, and she was very hard on herself and was doubting her ability to make a few simple lifestyle changes. 
 
So knowing the food that is distributed weekly at GRACE, I shared a small compilation of healthy recipes, with pictures, tailored to her life that she could prepare for herself and family, low sodium and adding greens with every meal. My motto is 'small changes, BIG results'. We incorporated drinking more water to stay hydrated, adding in just 1 fruit daily (as she was concerned with too much sugar in the fruit), smaller portions, and truly enjoying your food.

Prepare what you love and enjoy it!

I wanted to find the foods that she loved and tweak it for her family to make it delicious and healthy.  We talked about walking daily. And just trying to find some joy in the food she’s eating; rather than it being her enemy.  Lesly was open and so receptive to all my suggestions and learned about new condiments and foods. We texted regularly back and forth.
 
Lesly’s results were triumphant! Her mother bought her a treadmill and she walked 30 mins a day. Her goal was set to 45 minutes daily. She sent me pictures of her beautiful meals.Her success was truly joy for the both of us. 

Lesly lost 19 pounds and her triglycerides were lowered! Life is hard for Lesly and her family. Every single day there is hardship and struggle. Work is tough. But with that being said, every text that I have received from Lesly, no matter the struggles, have been filled with gratitude and inspiration. She is remarkable!

…Read the full story HERE!

— Ilyse is a Volunteer Board Member with GRACE and owner of Green Healthy Living. She is a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, with a focus on personalized 1:1 programs, group programs, lifestyle eating and wellness cooking. You'll see Ilyse at GRACE Distribution every Thursday afternoon, supporting recipients in line, sharing healthy recipes and keeping spirits positive.

  • "I believe we live in the greatest country in the world, but even our system is not perfect. Good hard working people fall through the cracks or simply get caught in transition. Most people who’ve made our country great, once dealt with these hardships or their ancestors did. GRACE steps in to play a critical role to help hundreds of our local families battle through their own tough times. The children and grandchildren of these families will be some of our future leaders. I’m involved because I feel it is my duty to help. I’m also selfishly blessed with inspiration from the hard working volunteers and leaders of GRACE...and of course the smiles and thanks from our neighbors who gain needed support."

    - Apollo Hrehorovich, Board President 2024

  • "I completed my training for the new job. Sometimes they ask me to work after 4, which doesn’t let me go pick up from the pantry, however I’m still grateful for the miracle of the job, the clothes I have to wear for it. It’s so necessary because we are still trying to build from scratch...I don’t have to worry about clothes, I have been balancing with what I was able to receive from the thrift store and the donations...I just took a breath and wanted to update you and thank you for helping us to get started on strong foundation. We are not there yet, but we are on our way, thanks to you and your organization and team."

    - S.M.

  • "Every family deserves a table filled with healthy food that they enjoy eating. Every child deserves the school supplies they need at the beginning of the school year. Every parent deserves the ability to give their child a Christmas gift. These are just a few of the reasons that I choose to be a part of GRACE. When a family comes to GRACE they are greeted warmly and treated with dignity. It is a honor to be able to be part of that."

    - Suzanne Wagner, Operations Director for GRACE

  • “I wanted to share with you how awesome the young people you have volunteering on Thurs evenings! Their smiles & energy brought my spirits up. Their hearts are genuine, they endeared me to them. Who said waiting in line is hard? Not when you see/interact with this group, they’re wonderfully contagious❤️! And the moment that I had was the cure. Lucky me. Thank you Amanda 🥰“

  • "I support GRACE because I believe in the mission and the support they give to our city...“It is everyone's birthright to be healthy, happy and secure.” It warms my heart to see how much GRACE does for our community members. I love the way everyone comes together to ensure that our neighbors and friends have the essentials they need in all aspects of their life."

    - Antonietta LaVecchia, An Evening for GRACE Honoree 2023

  • "GRACE is EVERYTHING! You’ve given years of life and health to Sam, who was crossing into diabetes. Thank you for being his caregiver!"

    - Marcia

  • "It’s uplifting just hearing what you offer. Whole grain bread is the true bread for me as a Ukrainian. With my health struggles, you help my whole being."

    - J.N.

  • "God bless you all and everyone who has somehow made this help possible with food, I thank you with all my heart and if the help ends you have already done it enough."

    — Maria Elena H.

  • Rosa needed to safely work from home instead of in others homes to protect herself and her family during COVID. Thanks to a generous donor, she was able to get a sewing machine and now she earns her living from home. Joe realized a bicycle would help him accept more jobs because he could lessen his travel time. Thanks to a team of donors, Joe received a bike, a chain, and lock and was able to double the amount of work, and thus his income, he could receive each week.

    - Rosa

  • "GRACE connects our community and people in a meaningful way while providing purpose for all community members. GRACE connects shoppers to essential food, health and enrichment needs. GRACE connects volunteers, shoppers, and community leaders in a purposeful space. GRACE is a purposeful connection for all of Summit - ensuring essential needs are met for all."

    - David Guida

  • "It’s a privilege from God to serve people. All my love is around God. In the beginning I hear from somebody their need for food, I want to give the gift of my time for other people who share their stories and share with us in this GRACE community. We all need to share in kindness and giving feels good, as my way to give back."

    Lorena Rojas, Volunteer and GRACE Recipient

  • "We are grateful to have the opportunity to support this amazing local organization. GRACE alleviates hardship and spreads happiness. It also allows people of all ages and stages to get involved and give back. We volunteer with GRACE because it is a direct and immediate way we can improve the lives of people in our very own community."

    - Michelle Duncan & Michelle DeMuth, An Evening for GRACE Co-Chairs 2023

  • “I was referred to the fridge program over the summer from my child's day care center (YMCA). I come to the GRACE for the fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, dairy, bread, and prepared foods. What I like best about GRACE is how much money I save each week on groceries. I used to go to the market weekly specifically for vegetables and fruits and I haven't made that trip in months. Amanda is always extremely helpful and kind. She goes above and beyond; she has emailed recipes to try using foods from the fridge. The fruits are especially helpful because I can send them to school for snack for my kindergarten aged child. Baked goods are always a hit at my house also! Everyone in my house benefits from GRACE. There is always enough to make through until the next pick up date.”

    — JD

A series of interviews to introduce you to some of the people behind GRACE

Figures of Grace: Rita
(2021)

Ana Rita is the GRACE distribution manager and hub of our distribution operations at GRACE. She runs the line and the efficient disbursement of food and supplies for everyone who comes to our headquarters.

Originally from Costa Rica, she warmly greets and registers all guests in the language that is most comfortable to them. To many, Rita is GRACE. She embodies the generous, problem solving, welcoming spirit we aspire to each week.

Figures of Grace: Liz
(2021)

Liz Newell is GRACE’s Board President. More than that, she is a dedicated volunteer at our weekly distribution. She lights up the room and the carline with her radiant smile and boundless energy. We are in awe of Liz and her ability to connect with the entire GRACE community, inspire volunteers, and welcome our shoppers.

Figures of Grace: Ilyse
(2021)

How lucky are we to have our very own in-house health coach, Ilyse DiChiara?! Before COVID, Ilyse offered amazing recipes so shoppers could prepare their produce in the most nutritious and delicious way possible. These days, Ilyse is the guiding light behind the $10 Choice Challenge which helps people make smart snack choices in their favorite stores. Quick to smile and share her warmth and wisdom, Ilyse spreads Florida sunshine at GRACE every week. We are happier and healthier because of it!

Figures of Grace: Barbara
(2021)

We would like to spotlight a member of our GRACE community who exemplifies what it is to be a mother.

The last question was an emotional one for Barbara to answer. She needed some time and came back to us with her written response, ‘GRACE is more than giving out food weekly. It is about giving families hope and helping families achieve their dreams. My wish for the families is to always have a smile on their faces, keep their worries small and help them reach all possibilities.’

Barbara Novoa's care for others abides. Her warm nature reinforces and spreads pure love.

Figures of Grace: Giovannie
(2021)

Giovannie Santiago is an RN who sought better understanding of the realities of the community he serves.

Thanks to Overlook Community Health Giovannie found us and worked three shifts in the first week! We are so lucky to have Atlantic Health’s partnership. We are grateful Giovannie keeps coming back and for his enthusiastic support, his reasoned insight, and his empathy for all the members of the GRACE community.

Figures of Grace: Jason
(2021)

Jason Lim, the manager of Central Farmer's Market in New Providence, has been a crucial part of the GRACE team in helping us procure fresh fruit and vegetables no matter the circumstances. He selects and brokers what is the best available at market at Hunts Point, NY, at the best prices, in the volume (actual tons) that GRACE needs.

His help is the reason we survived the effects of the pandemic. Jason made sure we always covered our needs, from the 500% growth in community to overcoming the shortages in produce and eggs. We are grateful for his unwavering contributions and insight.