Mission, Goals and Community

Bentley Community Services, Inc. is dedicated to help and provide for working families in the Central New Jersey region of communities who are struggling financially having difficulty making ends meet. Many working families are in financial crisis in food-insecure households, as they simply cannot afford the costs of healthy, nutritious and wholesome foods to feed their families.  BCS provides support and encouragement in a culture and environment of accountability and self-help to place families on the path to financial stability and security. Bentley food co-operative pantry creates access to a wide range of fresh, healthy foods, facilitating healthy diets and nutrition, creating an opportunity for struggling families to have their needs supplied and offset during a setback from unexpected situations. Bentley Community Services provides an alternative to area food banks/pantries for struggling families who do not receive assistance, and although employed, are not reaching financial solvency due to circumstances such as two incomes going to one, underemployment, increased debt, higher cost of living and groceries and other financial setbacks. By distributing a wide range of high quality foods each week, families are able to get on the fast track to recovery while we offset/eliminate their weekly grocery bills by being their main grocer.

Bentley Community Services, Inc. is a designated 501 (c) 3 charitable organization.

Community – We are so grateful to Birch Community Services who states ” the key here with BCS is the interaction we as people require in the exercise of community. 90% of the work in this program is more about people and 10% is about food.  This program is more about sharing.  Inside we share with one another – high quality, diverse foods, educational classes, experiences, listening ears, helping hands – and develop kinships as we get to know one another, assist each other and bear each others burdens.

Extending out into our community, we share not only product, but hopefully a sense of joy, thankfulness and belonging.  We gratefully accept what is given to us as an organization, and endeavor to enhance, help and encourage others in the good work they do also.  Through all this we encompass community and service”.

Environmental Sustainability – We are grateful for what has been entrusted to our care and it shows in our stewardship of the resources needed to carry out our service in the community. We make it a priority to reduce waste, reuse whenever possible, and recycle what cannot be reused. These practices promote a sustainable environment.

“In a mysterious way, deeds of compassion transform both the giver and the receiver.  What one person initiates as a healing gesture may accomplish the healing of both the giver and recipient.  This opens a rich dimension in the life of compassion:  it is less about meeting needs than it is about changing hearts, and the process is reciprocal”.

                                                                                         ~ Barbara Elliott ~ 

                                                                                                 “Street Saints”

 

 

 

10 thoughts on “Mission, Goals and Community

  1. Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to the Bentley suppliers. It is always amazing and heart warming to be a recipient of your generosity.

    Thank you for all you do and for Dorothy and Brant!

  2. I wanted to thank the Bentley suppliers for all the delicious foods they supply to those of us who could never afford them. It’s a great sign that in today’s selfish society, there are people like you and the Bentley people who take time out of their lives to help others. Bless you all.

  3. Been so fortunate to be a part of the Bentley Family. Forever greatfull for the extra support that is helping me provide for my family.

  4. The various food items are such a “God send”. The first time we went to the warehouse there was a feeling of excitement about this program. Now we look forward to each week. My boys so many times would look for something to eat, only to be told…”I have to go to the grocery store”. They did not realize our situation. Now, they are delighted after school to get a snack, or to have a normal breakfast/lunch, and balanced dinner. We are grateful to each of you that make this possible. You’re the best!

  5. Dorothy and Brant are wonderful people to work with .Happy to be part of the awesome Bentley Program! Very Grateful !!

  6. I have participated in Bentley Community Services for several years now. It has enabled our family to pay down much of our debt. I now have a budget I can work with. Many Thanks to the providers that donate!

  7. Our family is so grateful and blessed to be a part of Bentley. Struggling to make ends meet, Bentley community services has been a Godsend in relieving our financial burden with food provisions. I cannot find words to express the gratitude and thankfulness to the program which keeps us and our kids nourished and reducing the burden of our final stress. Many thanks to Dorothy and Brant who work incredibly hard to help families in need.

  8. Bentley Community Services has been a life saver for our family. The help we receive from Bentley has an enormous impact on our family. After 27 years of being employed then getting let go of your job and the loss of benefits was terrifying. With the help from Dorothy and staff we were able to start and get our lives back on track. The money we save on groceries has helped us manage our money to help with our medical insurance and everyday expenses. The food and essentials are amazing and I must say it covers everything you could imagine. The food is not only delicious but nutritious and bountiful. Bentley is such a humble and heartwarming place. When you think you’re all alone and by chance someone passes your name along for help and Bentley comes into your life , it’s truly an answer to your prayers until you can get back on your feet. Thank you Bentley for all of your help and support… especially your thoughts and prayers, much appreciated

  9. I would like to thank Bentley and all the wonderful suppliers for the weekly provisions. We are new to the program, but already reaping the benefits of not having to worry about the weekly food bill, on top of our other mounting bills. We are very grateful and feel very fortunate to have access to such a generous program. Thank you Dorothy and Brant!

  10. Here’s specifics on how this program helps. We’ve been behind on the rent, bills, credit cards, etc. We were eating Osc-r Meyer balogna sandwiches from the dollar store. Bentley supplied us with deliious and healthy food. For example, on Thursday, I defrosted a piece of salmon, and cooked it in butter (also supplied by Bentley) and minced garlic. We had a fresh southwestern salad from Trader Joe’s and fresh fruit along with fresh cabbage I also cooked. All from the generous suppliers who give to Bentley. With the money we saved in just a few weeks, I caught up with February’s rent. Bless Dorothy, the Bentley volunteers and suppliers for making our lives easier. And healthier.

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