RWJBarnabas Announces $500,000 to Expand Food Support in Middlesex County
The investment will support food assistance and bilingual health navigation, while the New Brunswick Food Farmacy moves to PRAB's Townsend Street location.
RWJBarnabas Health announced a $500,000 investment in the Puerto Rican Action Board, known as PRAB, to expand access to nutritious food and community support services in New Brunswick and Middlesex County.
The health system's New Brunswick Food Farmacy will move from the RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center to PRAB's location at 287 Townsend Street. The move will bring nutrition resources together with PRAB's other services.
The investment will support expanded food assistance, bilingual health navigation and coordination of resources for individuals and families.
"For many families, putting nutritious food on the table is one of several challenges they are managing at the same time," said PRAB Chief Executive Officer Joel Torres. "This significant investment from RWJBarnabas Health will help us respond to those needs more fully and connect residents with support that extends beyond a single visit."
PRAB has served Middlesex County for more than 50 years and reaches more than 25,000 residents each year, according to the announcement. Its programs include housing support, early childhood education, youth development, family services and community wellness.
The partnership will also strengthen coordination among Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, RWJBarnabas Health's community health workers and PRAB. The investment is part of the health system's Our Healthy Communities initiative, funded by state appropriations.