Eva’s Village (http://www.EvasVillage.org), a comprehensive New Jersey anti-poverty charity, is experiencing an increase in need in 2009, and a decline in foundation grants and individual gifts — Eva’s Village, Paterson, New Jersey, seeks additional funding to meet the increasing need.

Paterson, NJ (PRWEB) May 27, 2009 – Eva’s Village describes an increase in their NJ anti-poverty programs and a decline in foundation grants and gifts from direct-mail appeals as “disturbing”, and is actively seeking support for their New Jersey anti-poverty programs during the current economic recession.

It’s not a surprise that the need for anti-poverty programs in New Jerseyis growing during the current New Jersey economic crises. But the increasing need is becoming disturbing indeed. In 2008, Eva’s Village served 120,777 hot, nutritious lunches, an increase of 7.3% over the same time period in 2007. More recently, over 400 people were served in one day where previously, the need averaged 260. Eva’s Village Free Medical and Dental Care Clinic in New Jersey is also noticing an increase in those seeking medical and dental care at its free clinic.

The faces of poverty in New Jersey can be seen at noon every day, 365 days a year at Eva’s Village New Jersey soup kitchen in Paterson, NJ. There are the chronic New Jersey homeless, but also veterans, the addicted, mentally ill, elderly, poor, and increasingly, New Jersey’s working poor.

Sister Gloria Perez, Executive Director of Eva’s Village, defines New Jersey’s working poor as “…those who work at one or even multiple minimum wage or sub-minimum wage jobs, but still don’t make enough to support themselves or their families.” She is careful to point out that the working poor resist government aid or charity, but as jobs become scarce, they have no choice. Sister Gloria says, “We have New Jersey fathers and mothers coming to eat their one meal per day here, so they can give their share at home to the family.”

While Eva’s Village has been aggressively seeking donations, it has experienced a decline in overall giving for its anti-poverty programs. More than half of the revenue that supports the Eva’s Village mission to “feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, treat the addicted and provide free medical and dental care to the poor,” comes from donations from corporate, private foundations, individuals and civic groups.

A new research advisory from Foundation Center shows foundation giving is expected to decrease in 2009. The Foundation Center reported that 62 percent of the 430 foundations surveyed expect to reduce their grant making this year. In fact, Eva’s Village has received notification from numerous foundations noting that they are not distributing funds at this time because they are redirecting the interests of their foundation or because funds have already been allocated early in the calendar year.

Although they have noted some decreases in their fundraising effectiveness, Eva’s Village has also been proactive in anticipating these difficulties and has added additional fundraising strategies. Noting that some foundations were decreasing distributions, Eva’s Village searched for new corporate and private foundations for funding, as well as new opportunities for New Jersey State and local funding of anti-poverty programs. In anticipation of reduced direct-mail appeal fundraising, Eva’s Village added additional appeals such as a successful “Back to School” appeal in September to help fund a recently expanded Hope Residence for Mothers and Children.

Realizing that they needed to host a fundraising event that would draw participants from a broader population, Eva’s Village added a new fundraising event this year, titled the “Journey of Hope” 5K Walk/Run to be held September 26, 2009 at Garret Mountain Reservation, Woodland Park (West Paterson), NJ. The New Jersey charity is looking to increase the participation of smaller businesses as sponsors as well as enlisting the help of area youth in raising New Jersey charitable contributions.

Donna Marie Fico, Chief Marketing Office at Eva’s Village, notes that they are very grateful for the support of corporate and private charitable foundations, government grants, New Jersey businesses and thousands of dedicated private donors. Ms. Fico says, “During this time of economic uncertainty, it is important to be both creative and cost-effective in how we conduct our fundraising.” She reports that as one of the most respected, comprehensive and effective anti-poverty organizations in the state of New Jersey, Eva’s Village receives high marks for efficiency, including a http://www.evasvillage.org/whygive.html Four-Star rating by [Charity Navigator __title__ Support Anti-Poverty Programs indicating that Eva’s Village “Exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in its Cause” (Charity Navigator).

Originally a New Jersey soup kitchen, Eva’s Village was founded in 1982 by Msgr. Vincent E. Puma in response to the increasing incidence of homelessness in Paterson, NJ. But Msgr. Puma soon realized that another New Jersey soup kitchen was not enough. With the generous support of thousands of donors and private and government grants, Eva’s Village has grown into the most respected anti-poverty program in New Jersey, with a four-star (maximum) rating by Charity Navigator, an independent non-profit monitor.

Donate to Eva’s Village NJ Charity or for more information, go to http://www.evasvillage.org call 973.523.6220 or write to: Donna Fico, Chief Marketing Officer, Eva’s Village, 393 Main Street, Paterson, NJ, 07501.