The City of Perth Amboy has received bountiful donations of groceries and dairy products from Tropical Cheese Industries based in Perth Amboy. Company founder Rafael Mendez and his family have donated tons of groceries to stock and re-stock the city’s food distribution center, which is feeding thousands of struggling Perth Amboy families . Each time the inventory of food was running low, Tropical Cheese provided more resources.
Recently, Mr. Mendez, his family and Tropical Cheese pledged to donate an additional $100,000 worth of company products and all types of groceries to the community’s food relief efforts. The first shipment of 14 pallets of food has already been delivered to Perth Amboy’s food distribution center on Olive Street and more deliveries are on the way. The cases of food contain beans, cooking oils, eggs, canned goods, fresh fruits, onions, plantains, potatoes, rice and vegetables. Tropical Cheese is donating many of its brand name cheeses, desserts, beverages and more.
Speaking for the company, his family and employees, Mr. Mendez said, “I’ve been involved in the Perth Amboy community for the past 50 years. It brings me tremendous satisfaction to help people because I see a need triggered by the pandemic. We are grateful to have the resources to help our neighbors who are suffering and are trying to feed their families.”
Department Director Kenneth Ortiz, who has organized and coordinated the grocery distributions, said, “With the contributions from Tropical Cheese, local companies and generous people, we have delivered groceries to more than 5,500 families.”
Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz said, “We’re incredibly grateful that Tropical Cheese, which is a local, family-run business and one of the city’s largest private employers, is donating huge amounts of its award-winning products and truckloads of groceries to feed so many families. While the number of households requesting food deliveries is slightly declining, we expect that our families may face food insecurity issues for months to come.”
The organization’s chairman Barry Rosengarten said, “The significant donations by Ralph Mendez and Tropical Cheese have restored the hope for households struggling to feed their families. Our team is humbled and grateful for all the contributions we have received, and this generosity shows how our community joins together to help one another. The reality is that our work goes forward because we are still recovering from the coronavirus crisis, which has disrupted many of our businesses and families and the entire city.” More donations are needed. The fastest way to contribute is by visiting the nonprofit’s website: http://www.perthamboycovidhelp.org. Or send donations to Perth Amboy COVID Help, P.O. Box 999, Perth Amboy, N.J. 08862. Please make checks payable to: CPA COVID-19
