Charity seeks medical equipment, baby goods
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

JEFF GRANIT staff The Anshe Emeth Community Development Corporation in New Brunswick takes donations of and loans out crutches, baby strollers, car seats and toys to families in need.

NEW BRUNSWICK - Donations of new or slightly used baby products and medical equipment are being sought by the Anshe Emeth Community Development Corp. (AECDC).

Founded in 1998 as an exterior charitable organization to the Anshe Emeth Temple on Livingston Avenue, the organization's mission is to provide families in need with the necessary items to aid in their care of young children, the disabled and the elderly.

"We did a needs assessment early on and found no other agency in the county that loaned out durable medical equipment," board President Deborah Cherniss said. "This year we have served about 300 people, families and individuals. About 98 percent have incomes below $30,000."

The Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) lends out shower seats, hospital beds, walkers, canes, wheelchairs and easy reachers. Bebe BELL (Baby Equipment Lovingly Loaned) provides cribs, car seats, strollers, high chairs, diapers, baby wipes, baby food, blankets and hats. A deposit of $10 to $25 is requested if the family can afford it and is refunded when the equipment is returned. The items can be kept for as long as the family requires its use.

The Food Funnel program accepts donations of canned goods to provide to local food banks who can distribute the goods accordingly. For the beginning of school, crayons, clothing and other essentials will be donated as well.

The volunteers introduce families to the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) federal food program so they can receive proper nutritional items during pregnancy and after birth, for both the mother and the baby. In addition, if a woman is suspected of being a victim of domestic violence, the AECDC will help them contact the Women Aware shelter in town.

"They worry about taking their babies to the doctor, but they don't worry about themselves. We teach them how to take the next step from here," said Norka Torres, office and program manager.

The institution also aids families in their search for medical coverage. Information On Health Insurance Options (IOHIO) helps decipher Medicare, Medicaid and New Jersey Family Care. There is also the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) with Medicare that can be applied for.

If they are unable to assist with a particular item, AECDC can refer families to the appropriate resources, such as the Middlesex County Improvement Authority's Reuse It Again program, the Middlesex County Office for the Disabled, or the American Red Cross.

"If we can't meet their needs, we try to [keep them in mind] and try to get them something," said Lea Rodriguez, a client services assistant for HELP.

Volunteer Debbie Budd-Levine said she can vouch for the program's effectiveness with assisting community members across Middlesex County, Franklin Township, Newark, Camden and the Pennsylvania border.

"I am so impressed with the way people are treated, with so much respect," she said. "Everybody is very committed and that commitment is very evident. I look forward to coming here because it is truly a pleasure. I've seen it; it's absolutely wonderful."

The nonprofit organization receives funding from the United Way of Central Jersey, the Karma Foundation and the George Link Jr. Foundation.

For more information, to volunteer, to donate items or to borrow equipment, visit www.aecdc.org or call (732) 296-9922. Monetary donations can be made payable to AECDC and sent to AECDC Inc., 222 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick 08901.