The Cherry Hill Food Pantry is expected to get a parking lot with funds used through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
The Cherry Hill council approved a number of financial resolutions, including a resolution to use the CARES Act funds for the parking lot at a recent council meeting on Monday, June 12.
“It is a much needed grant for the food pantry, it’s been many years in the making,” said Councilwoman Carole Roskophe. “I do want to commend the work that they do at the food pantry. … We often think about families in Cherry Hill not necessarily needing the efforts of the food pantry, I know firsthand that is not true. We have many families in our community who utilize the benefits of the food pantry so I’m glad to see they are finally getting the building of the parking lot that they need.”
The Council also approved the first round of Recovery and Investment for a Stronger Economy (RISE) grants to be awarded to 21 nonprofits and other impacted entities using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Recipients included (but were not limited to) swim clubs of Cherry Hill, little leagues, football and athletic leagues of Cherry Hill, and religious organizations.
The township also purchased a Global Positioning System (GPS) for the police department through participating in the OMNIA Partners’ “Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Related Services” contract. The resolution states that the system will be used for investigating serious and fatal motor vehicle crashes.
Police Chief Robert Kempf elaborated on the system’s usage.
“This is a crime scene mapping hardware and software,” he said. “It replaces a laser technology that we’ve been using since 2007. This technology uses satellite. It’s much more accurate and we’ve sort of been holding onto the laser system for a little longer than we probably should have.
“It’s new technology, it should help us with fatal and serious motor vehicle crashes as well as any crime scene mapping.”
During her remarks, Mayor Susan Shin Angulo recognized Juneteenth, the recent county celebration of Philippine Independence Day and the significance of Pride Month throughout June.
“We celebrate and honor the accomplishments of LGBTQA+ individuals around the world,” she said. “Pride Month provides us with an opportunity to reaffirm our unwavering support for the LGBTQA+ community and emphasizes the importance of advocating for the rights of LGBTQA+ rights everywhere.
“Let us stand together as a township fostering inclusivity, acceptance and equity.”
In closing remarks, Councilwoman Michele Golkow highlighted the township’s first Pride Month program, in partnership with the Cherry Hill Public Library and Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS). On Tuesday, June 27, there will be a screening of Take Me to Prom followed by a discussion led by the LGBTQ+ group Aging with Pride at the Cherry Hill Public Library at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served at 6:15 p.m.
The next council meeting will be on Monday, June 26 at 7:30 p.m.
