Strengthening Our Community Through Partnership: THA and Catholic Charities

Strong partnerships create lasting change, and the Trenton Housing Authority’s collaboration with Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton is helping build a healthier, more resilient community for residents across Trenton.

Together, THA and Catholic Charities are transforming access to nutritious food through the FEED NJ Choice Food Pantry at Donnelly Homes. Made possible through a partnership with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and Mount Carmel Guild, the pantry is more than a food distribution site—it is a community resource that empowers families to choose the groceries that best fit their household’s needs. By offering fresh produce, proteins, dairy products, breads, pantry staples, and other nutritious foods through a client-choice model, the pantry provides residents with dignity, flexibility, and reliable access to healthy meals.

The pantry is already making a measurable impact. During its first month of operation, it served 82 families, with each household receiving approximately $150 to $200 worth of nutritious groceries. As one of five neighborhood distribution sites established through NJEDA’s FEED NJ initiative, the Donnelly Homes pantry demonstrates how strategic partnerships can bring critical resources directly into the communities that need them most.

Designed with accessibility in mind, the pantry is open on the first and third Monday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. All THA residents can shop in person or place grocery orders through the FEED NJ mobile app for pickup. Residents of French Connor Towers and Wilson and Haverstick Homes can also order through the app and receive food distribution within their own communities, helping remove transportation barriers and making healthy food more convenient to access.

Residents can register using QR codes displayed throughout the Donnelly Homes community, and the program has also distributed 14 bus passes to help provide additional transportation support for residents accessing the pantry.

The pantry’s success is made possible through a strong network of local farms, food suppliers, nonprofit organizations, and community partners that help maintain a consistent supply of fresh, nutritious food. Rolling Harvest Food Rescue provides fresh produce, Snipes Farm & Education Center contributes seasonal fruits and vegetables, and City Beef & Provisions supplies meat and other protein options. Additional support from community partners helps ensure shelves are replenished twice each week with essential groceries for residents.

The partnership between THA and Catholic Charities extends beyond food access. Throughout the year, the organizations work together on initiatives that improve residents’ quality of life, including distributing air conditioners to eligible households during the summer months to help protect vulnerable residents from extreme heat.

At the Trenton Housing Authority, we believe that meaningful partnerships create meaningful opportunities. By working alongside organizations that share our commitment to serving others, we’re expanding access to essential resources, strengthening neighborhoods, and helping residents build healthier, more secure futures.

THA residents are encouraged to take advantage of the FEED NJ Choice Food Pantry and the resources available through this partnership. Residents can register through the QR codes displayed throughout the Donnelly Homes community, place grocery orders through the FEED NJ mobile app, or use the Catholic Charities Food Pantry Selections Form to submit food assistance requests.

To learn more about the FEED NJ Choice Food Pantry, resident programs, community services, and upcoming initiatives, visit our website or follow us on social media to stay connected with the latest news and resources.