Malcolm Jenkins Foundation's 'Get Ready Fest' 2024 in Camden

Frank Santos for We Are Jersey

Photo of Malcolm Jenkins Foundation's 'Get Ready Fest' 2024 at the Salvation Army's Kroc Center in Camden, NJ

On Saturday August 17th, 2x Super Bowl Champion and 3x Pro-Bowl New Orleans Saint Safety Malcolm Jenkins and The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation hosted their annual community outreach event. Serving cities such as Columbus, OH, Philadlphia, PA, New Orleans, LA, and Newark, NJ since 2017 the foundation has returned to Camden to serve communities that face food insecurity. During this year's event they were able to serve 1,000 Camden families with food, fresh produce, books, school bags, health services and more.

Photo of Book Smiles giving bookbag to child at the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation's 'Get Ready Fest' 2024

Photo of Camden resident reciving free fresh produce at the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation's 'Get Ready Fest' 2024

As many residents of the nation experience new challenges with grocery expenses, Camden is no stranger where 11.3% of residents face food insecurity according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Volunteers took in about 200 families per hour where they provided fresh produce, dairy and poultry products that would easily save them $100+ in grocery costs.

Photo of Joey Rodriguez of the American Water Charitable Foundation at Malcolm Jenkins Foundation's 'Get Ready Fest' 2024

Photo of Camden residents at Malcolm Jenkins Foundation's 'Get Ready Fest' 2024

As living expenses increase there has been continued support from local leaders and community organizations in the area that continue to contribute to community outreach events such as this. Joey Rodriguez, with American Water whose national headquarters is in Camden, is an avid participant of the Camden community where he is also a resident. "We're excited to have the American Water Charitable Foundation support theMalcolm Jenkins Foundation's initiative on fighting food insecurity and providing resources to those who need it" shared Mr.Rodriguez, who happily connected with community members throughout the entire event. American Water, who is the largest water and wastewater service provider in the nation, was also the presenting sponsor of the Get Ready Fest who donated $40, 000 to the foundation's initiative.

Although the community celebration began with summer rain the outreach grew smiles across faces of all ages where children and adults alike were also able to enjoy music, raffles and free haircuts. With events like these appearing more frequently than ever in the city's history due to Camden's Mayor Victor Carstarphen's consistent push for partnerships like this, the city is beginning to bloom into the thriving Philadelphia-adjacent region it once used to be.