The nonprofit organization NJ 211, the Burlington County Times partner in the annual Give A Christmas effort, has a straightforward mission: help New Jersey residents cover their basic needs, including food, shelter and transportation.
This mission s more challenging during the 2020 holiday season, with the coronavirus pandemic still raging and tens of thousands of state residents out of work, facing food insecurity and struggling to pay bills, according to Executive Director Melissa Acree.
The nonprofit prides itself on being available to residents 24/7, said the executive director. Just dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211, according to the organization s website.
But this year, that accessibility requires more NJ 211 employees. In January 2020, the nonprofit had 80 staff members. Now it has 100, according to Acree.