Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES Business IV • May 23, 2012 OritaniBank Charitable Foundation has made two sizable awards to New Jersey charities. Northeast New Jersey Legal Services Domestic Violence Representation Project in Bergen County received a $12,000 grant and Center for Food Action received a $1,000,000 grant. The Center for Food Action grant, payable over a five-year period, will help fund CFA’s emergency food, homeless prevention, and heating and utility assistance programs. These programs provide seven-day emergency food packages to low-income families and seniors, help households pay the rent during difficult times, and keep the heat and lights on for many area neighbors. CFA provides these critical services from eight sites in northern New Jersey, including a facility located in Mahwah. “We are proud that this grant is going to have such an immediate and sustained impact on the lives of more than 17,000 low-income Bergen and Passaic county residents,” said Kevin J. Lynch, president of the Oritani Bank Charitable Foundation and chairman, president, and CEO of Oritani Bank. “Our support will go directly to help CFA continue to put nutritious food on the table and a roof over the heads of our OritaniBank Charitable Foundation makes awards neighbors in need.” In 2011, CFA collected and distributed more than $3,200,000 worth of food to area residents. CFA also provided nearly $1,000,000 in financial assistance to prevent nearly 1,500 local households from falling into homelessness or having vital utilities disconnected. “Without the services that CFA provides, many of our neighbors would not be able to put food on their tables, keep a roof over their heads or keep on their heat and lights,” commented Patricia Espy, executive director of CFA. “Partnership with Oritani Bank and the OritaniBank Charitable Foundation has meant that we can deliver essential services to many local residents and help them regain their self sufficiency and strengthen our community.” CFA also offers, counseling, advocacy, and support services to individuals and families struggling to make ends meet. For more information visit http://cfanj.org. The Northeast New Jersey Legal Services’ Domestic Violence Representation Project in Bergen County serves Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic counties with a mission to provide legal services to the underserved in those counties. The Domestic Cynthia Johnson-Barbato, member of Board of Directors, CFA; Patricia Espy, Executive Director, CFA; and Kevin J. Lynch, President OritaniBank Charitable Foundation Violence Representation Project is just one of the organization’s many legal assistance services, helping victims of domestic violence, preserving custody of minor children, and offering financial support. NNJLS is a 501c3 organization. “With state funding for Northeast NJ Legal Services being cut this year, we felt our support was more critical than ever,” said Lynch. “Our grant last year to support their Domestic Violence Representation Project provided invaluable assistance to 10 Bergen County women as well as providing educational workshops or 50 more. We’re proud of the fact that this year’s grant will assist at least 15 women in need.” NNJLS, a 40-year old organization, provides a broad array of free, high-quality legal services, specializing primarily in housing, family, public benefits, and consumer law matters for low income, disabled, and vulnerable citizens. Its mission is to assure that access to the civil justice system is not denied to people in need simply because they cannot afford a private attorney. For more information about NNJLS, visit www.lsnj.org/nnjls. Oritani Bank established the OritaniBank Charitable Foundation in 2007 to assist not-for-profit organizations that help to improve the quality of life for area residents, especially those members of its communities most in need. Since its inception, the foundation has donated more than $3 million to local charitable organizations. Oritani Bank is a 101-year-old community bank with over $2.8 billion in assets, based in the Township of Washington. Call 888-ORITANI, or visit www.oritani.com.