>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

>>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>> AND THE OCEAN WHEN THE PROJECT BY ORSTED AND PSEG.

COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW AND LONG TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> FROM NJ PBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IS NOW PLAGUING NEW JERSEY'S COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US I'M A RAVEN SANTANA.

THE PANDEMIC CAUSING A WAVE OF MENTAL ILLNESS FOR COLLEGE AGE STUDENTS SOMETIMES BECOMING DEADLY.

UNIVERSITY IS STILL MOURNING THE LOSS OF A STUDENT WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE IN EARLY NOVEMBER.

STUDENTS SAY THEIR SCHOOLS ARE NOT DOING ENOUGH TO PROTECT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND THEY ARE DEMANDING MORE COUNSELING AND BETTER SERVICES.

MEANWHILE A BILL ADDRESSING THIS CRISIS IS UP FOR A VOTE THURSDAY.

BUT TESTING YOUR CORRESPONDED BRENDA FLENNIKEN REPORTS HEALTH EXPERTS SAY IT MAY NOT BE ENOUGH.

>> A LOT OF STUDENTS ARE FEELING HIGH LEVELS OF DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY.

THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLES KEEPING ON TOP OF THE STUDIES.

>> IT IS A CRISIS RYAN CLEAR SAID AND HE RALLIED WITH FELLOW UNIVERSITY STUDENTS SHOCKED AND GRIEF STRICKEN AFTER A 19-YEAR- OLD CLASSMATE FROM BERNARDSVILLE DIED FROM SUICIDE ON CAMPUS NOVEMBER 1st.

>> THROUGH GROUP CHATS.

INDIVIDUAL WHO MADE THE INITIAL 911 CALL AFTER SEEING WHAT HAD HAPPENED.

THE SCHOOL DID NOT INFORM ANY OF THE STUDENT BODY UNTIL A WEEK AFTER IT OCCURRED.

>> WE HAD IMMEDIATELY PUT OUT NOTIFICATIONS AND WE GOT CRITICISM FROM THAT AS WELL FROM PEOPLE WHO DID NOT WANT ALL THAT INFORMATION.

>> Reporter: STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR NOTES THERE IS NO PERFECT PATH TO MANAGING LOSS OF LIFE ON CAMPUS.

SUICIDES THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR COLLEGE AGE YOUNG ADULTS IN THE U.S.

THE CS --CDC SAID.

THEY EXPERIENCE FORCES 2017.

THE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL BURDENS FOR UNDERGRADUATES.

>> A LOT OF STUDENTS ARE HAVING A ROUGH TIME WITH THE TRANSITION BACK.

I CAN SEE A LOT OF STUDENTS ARE FEELING THAT DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

>> COMPARED TWO YEARS AGO WE HAVE A SLIGHT INCREASE OF STUDENTS SEEKING CARE FROM OUR REACH TEAM WHICH IS OUR CRISIS COUNSELING TEAM.

NOT SIGNIFICANT.

I CAN SAY WE HAVE CAPACITY.

WE HAVE NO WAIT TIME.

>> 72% OF COLLEGE STUDENTS REPORTED THAT PANDEMIC HAS NEGATIVELY AFFECTED THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

WHEN THAT HAPPENS IT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO CONCENTRATE ON THEIR ACADEMIC WORK.

WHEN DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY ARE SO OVERWHELMING AND INTERFERING WITH DAILY LIFE.

>> Reporter: MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE BACKS --STATE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD OFFER STRUGGLING STUDENTS PIERCE SUPPORT GROUPS.

REQUIRE ORIENTATION SESSIONS ON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND RESOURCES.

AND ESTABLISH LINKS TO OFF- CAMPUS TREATMENT FACILITIES.

WHAT SHE FEARS THE BILL DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH.

>> HAVE THOSE CONNECTIONS WITH COMMUNITY PROVIDERS WHO HAVE THE EXPERTISE BUT AN ADDICTION TREATMENT PARTIES.

THAT SHOULD BE REQUIRED.

MORE SO THAN JUST ENCOURAGED.

ESPECIALLY WITH THE INCREASE IN DEMAND.

THE COLLEGE COUNSELING CENTERS COULD GET OVERWHELMED.

>> Reporter: THE BILL DOESN'T MENTION FUNDING AND DOESN'T INCLUDE PRECISE PERFORMANCE METRICS.

IT ALSO LACKS TEETH TO ENSURE UNIVERSITIES COMPLY.

COSPONSOR A SULEMAN -- ADMITS THE BILL LARGELY DEPENDS ON COLLEGES COOPERATION.

>> I THINK THE BILL IN GENERAL MAKES THEM REALIZE THAT IF NOTHING ELSE WE ARE LOOKING AT YOU.

WE SEE THE PROBLEM.

WE HAVE TO MAKE COLLEGE STUDENTS UNDERSTAND TODAY IS DIFFERENT THAN YESTERDAY.

ESPECIALLY WITH SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS FOLLOWED UP THEIR RALLY WITH A CHANGE.ORG PETITION COMPLAINING THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TRAINED COUNSELORS.

THE ADMINISTRATION SAID IT HAS ADDED STAFF AND EMPLOYEES AT LEAST 15 COUNSELORS.

--DOES REFER TO OFF-CAMPUS CLINICS.

>> SOME OF THOSE STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE THE PRIVATE INSURANCE TO HAVE THOSE SERVICES COVERED.

>> ONE OF THE PROBLEMS I THINK YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.

MONEY.

IS GOING TO BE A GREAT DRAWBACK TO THIS.

>> Reporter: FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES REMAINS A PERENNIAL PROBLEM.

THE BILL IS HEADED FOR A VOTE THIS THURSDAY.

>>> THE CDC IS STRENGTHENING ITS RECOMMENDATION ON BOOSTERS FOLLOWING THE EMERGENCE OF THE NEW OMICRON VARIANT.

NOW SAYING ALL U.S.

ADULTS SHOULD GET A BOOSTER.

THE AGENCY HAD PREVIOUSLY SAID ANYONE OVER 18 MAKE IT ONE.

THIS SHIFT COMES AS PFIZER WILL SEEK APPROVAL FOR A BOOSTER SHOT FOR ITS COVID VACCINE FOR 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS.

IF APPROVED IT WOULD BECOME THE FIRST BOOSTER AVAILABLE TO THOSE UNDER 18.

FURTHER SIGNALING CONCERN OVER THE NEW VARIANT.

THOUGH THERE IS STILL LITTLE DATA ON HOW WELL CURRENT VACCINES AND BOOSTERS PROTECT AGAINST COMECON.

IN NEW JERSEY THE NUMBER OF ADULTS GETTING BOOSTERS IS SLOWLY TICKING UP TO NEARLY NUMBER 1.3 MILLION OUT OF ROUGHLY 6.2 MILLION WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

THE CASES ARE STILL ON THE RISE.

STILL FUELED BY THE DELTA VARIANT WITH MORE THAN 2300 AND POSITIVE TEST REPORTED TODAY AND 42 DEATHS.

THERE ARE ONCE AGAIN MORE THAN 1000 PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED FOR COVID.

THE HIGHEST NUMBER SINCE EARLY OCTOBER.

>>> SPENDING ON NEW JERSEY'S 2021 ELECTIONS FOR STATE RESOURCES REACH $170 MILLION.

A THIRD OF WHICH WAS SPENT BY INDEPENDENT GROUPS ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED BY THE STATE ELECTION COMMISSION.

SOME CANDIDATES SPENDING MORE THAN 700 TIMES THE AMOUNT OF THEIR CHALLENGERS.

BUT THIS YEAR'S RESULTS PROVED MONEY DOES NOT ALWAYS WIN RACES.

WHICH PARTY BENEFITS MOST FROM THE DOLLAR SPENT?

ARE PROJECTS EDITOR COLLEEN BREAKS DOWN THE PRICE TAG FOR THIS YEAR'S GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE RACES.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BREAKDOWN AND THE AMOUNT SPENT DURING THE PRIMARY VERSUS THE GENERAL ELECTION FOR EXAMPLE.

>> SO IN THIS YEAR'S PRIMARY, THE SPENDING WAS ABOUT $59 MILLION FOR THE LEGISLATIVE AND GOVERNOR'S RACES.

IN THE GENERAL IT WAS CLOSER TO TWICE THAT.

IT WAS $110 MILLION.

MORE MONEY WAS SPENT IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE THAT WAS ABOUT $60 MILLION.

BUT THERE WAS A LOT SPENDS ON THE LEGISLATIVE SIDE AS WELL.

WE DID SEE MORE SPENDING AND THE GOVERNOR'S RACE BY INDEPENDENT GROUPS AND IN THE LEGISLATIVE RACES.

>> A LOT OF SPENDING BUT DID IT HELP?

>> WELL, THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

MONEY ALWAYS HELPS BUT NOT NECESSARILY.

YOU WANT AS MUCH MONEY AS YOU CAN GET.

CERTAINLY GOVERNOR MURPHY THAT WIN REELECTION.

THE DEMOCRATS HE WAS BACKED BY DEMOCRATIC GROUPS.

KIND OF 2 TO 1.

HE --SPINS AROUND THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY.

THERE WAS A LOT MORE INDEPENDENT MONEY BACKING MURPHY.

HOWEVER ON THE LEGISLATIVE SIDE WE SAW ESPECIALLY IN SOUTH JERSEY DEMOCRATS FALLING IN RACES THAT THEY CLEARLY OUTSPENT THEIR RIVALS.

THE BIGGEST EXAMPLE IS A THIRD DISTRICT WHERE NO ONE EXPECTED SENATE PRESIDENT SWEENEY AND THE TWO ASSEMBLY MEMBERS TO LOSE TO KIND OF NOBODIES REPUBLICANS THAT WERE HAVE NEVER HELD POLITICAL OFFICE.

SWEENEY AND HIS TICKET SPENT 700 TIMES MORE THAN THE REPUBLICANS.

IT WAS ABOUT 1.7 MILLION TO $2300 BY EDWARD DURER AND HIS TWO RUNNING MATES.

MONEY DOES NOT ALWAYS MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> LET'S MOVE THE CONVERSATION TO DARK MONEY.

THE DARK MONEY PLAYED A ROLE?

>> TOTALLY.

THERE WAS AN AWFUL LOT OF THAT PARTICULARLY IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

ALMOST HALF OF THE MONEY SPENT IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE WAS THIS DARK MONEY.

THIS INDEPENDENT SPENDING.

WE DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW WHO IS BACKING THIS.

MOST OF THIS MONEY AGAIN WAS MORE OF THIS MONEY WAS SUPPORTING GOVERNOR MURPHY.

IN BOTH RACES IN THE GOVERNOR'S AND LEGISLATIVE RACES, IT WAS ABOUT 6 TO 1 MONEY WAS BACKING DEMOCRATS.

SO THEY HAD A CLEAR ADVANTAGE FROM GROUPS LIKE GORDON STATE FORWARD THE --GROUP.

THEY SUPPORTED MURPHY.

THEY HAD A VICTORY THERE.

THEY ALSO SPENT A LOT OF MONEY DOWN IN THE SECOND DISTRICT IN SOUTH JERSEY WHEN DEMOCRATS LOST TWO SEATS.

>> WOULD YOU SAY ONE PARTY BENEFIT MORE THAN THE OTHER?

>> YES.

CLEARLY IT WAS THE DEMOCRATS.

THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION TRY TO COME IN AND SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TO SUPPORT JACK --IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

IT JUST WASN'T ENOUGH WHEN YOU HAD THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION, THE GORDON STATE FORWARD AND THEN YOU HAD A WHOLE BUNCH OF LABOR GROUPS THAT SPENDS AN AWFUL LOT ON THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

THEY JUST CLEARLY HAD MORE MONEY.

>> COLLEEN, THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR SPEAKING TO US.

>> THANK YOU RAVEN.

>>> JERSEY CITY TOOK A FIRST STEP FOR THE NEW INCLUSIONARY ZONING PLANT THE MAYOR SAID WILL BOOST AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THE STATE'S SECOND-LARGEST CITY.

THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A NEW ORDINANCE ON FIRST READING AT THIS WEEK'S MEETING.

IT WOULD REQUIRE DEVELOPERS TO DESIGNATE BETWEEN 10 AND 15% OF NEW UNITS AS AFFORDABLE.

IT IS THE CITY'S SECOND ATTEMPT AT SUCH AN ORDINANCE.

ACCORD THROUGHOUT THE INITIAL PLAN AFTER OBJECTIONS FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCATES.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS CORRESPONDENT DAVE KRUSE SPOKE WITH JERSEY CITY MAYOR ABOUT THE NEW PROPOSAL.

>> SO MAYOR WHAT IS THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS PLAN AND THE PLAN THAT WAS THROWN OUT BY A COURT?

>> THIS PLAN TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION THAT A CITY LIKE JERSEY CITY HAS A LOT OF DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS WITH A LOT OF SOCIOECONOMIC ISSUES THAT ARE CHALLENGING.

AND POSE DIFFERENT CHALLENGES.

THIS HAS SOME DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY BETWEEN THE PERSON SET ASIDE WHETHER IT IS 10% FOR THE ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED AREAS OR POORER AREAS.

OR 15% FOR THE WEALTHIER AREAS.

>> NO OPTION FOR DEVELOPERS TO MAKE ANY OTHER KIND OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY LIKE SCHOOL OR REC SENSORS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

>> WE FELT INITIALLY THAT A CITY LIKE JERSEY CITY HAS A LOT OF NEEDS.

IT WAS IMPORTANT TO GIVE COUNSEL PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES FLEXIBILITY TO NEGOTIATE ALSO FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, FOR SCHOOLS, FOR PARKS.

THINGS THAT EXISTING RESIDENTS NEED.

SOME IN THE COMMUNITY FAIR SHARE HOUSING POSITION WAS THERE SHOULD BE NO FLEXIBILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS THE ONLY THING ON THE TABLE.

ULTIMATELY WE CAN TO THE CONCLUSION WE WERE GOING TO LOWER THE PERCENTAGE A LITTLE BIT.

BUT WE WERE GOING TO GIVE NO FLEXIBILITY.

ULTIMATELY 10 OR 15% IS THE REQUIREMENT.

>> MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO I TALKED TO SAID THEY WANTED TO SEE THIS AT 20% WHICH IS WHAT --HAS.

WHAT WAS THE LOGIC BEHIND THE DECREASING IT?

>> I THINK WE WANTED TO GET SOMETHING THAT WORKS.

--HAS AN ORDINANCE THAT HAS 20%.

BUT THE REALITY IS THEY HAVING GOTTEN A LOT BUILT ON IT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY WE ARE DOING 50% AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE COULD ALL DO CARD WILLS.

IF NOTHING GETS BUILT ULTIMATELY WHAT IS IT FOR?

THIS IS THE REASONABLE ORDINANCE THAT I FEEL LIKE WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET SOMETHING BUILT ON FIXED WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM -- >>> WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM DEVELOPERS?

I CAN IMAGINE THEY ARE HAPPY WITH THIS PLAN.

>> THEY ARE EXPRESSING THE CHALLENGES ECONOMICALLY THAT THE WORLD IS IN TODAY.

FROM THEIR STANDPOINT.

COSTS HAVE INCREASED FINANCIALLY.

BUILDINGS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE.

THEY ARE JUST SAYING LOOK, WE DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN MAKE THIS WORK ECONOMICALLY.

AND SO OUR POSITION IS WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS MORE CHALLENGING BUT WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THERE IS A NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WE NEED TO BE PART OF THAT CONVERSATION AS WELL.

>> WARE HAS DEVELOPMENT BEEN?

I ALWAYS FEEL LIKE DOWNTOWN IS OVERDEVELOPED AT THIS POINT.

THERE IS STILL PLENTY OF ROOM TO GO UP.

>>> I DON'T THINK THE CITY IS OVERDEVELOPED.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PEAK POPULATION IN THE 1960S AND 50s WE ARE STILL SHY OF THAT.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUILDINGS NOW.

WE ARE NOWHERE NEAR WHERE WE WERE AT THE PEAK.

I THINK THAT A GROWING CITY IS A HEALTHY CITY.

JERSEY CITY IS VERY HEALTHY.

WE SHOULD NOT CHANGE THAT.

WE SHOULD EMBRACE THAT.

DOWNTOWN IS A PLACE THAT PEOPLE ARE COVETING TO LIVE IN.

THAT ARE MOVING FROM ALL OVER THE REGION TWO.

AND WE WANT TO HAVE THAT SAME SORT OF EXCITEMENT ABOUT EVERY AREA IN THE CITY.

A SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE CITY THAT HAS A LOT OF AMENITIES IN EVERY PART OF IT.

HOPEFULLY THIS ORDINANCE PROTECTS EXISTING RESIDENTS MAKES FOR DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOODS.

FROM A SOCIOECONOMIC STANDPOINT.

ANN CONTINUES THE CITY GROWING WHICH AS I SAID EARLIER IS A SIGN OF A HEALTHY CITY.

>> JERSEY CITY MAYOR STEVE PHILIP THANK YOU FOR TAKING A FEW MINUTES WITH US.

>>> SEE THE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA ARE PERMANENTLY BANNED IN TOMS RIVER.

THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL VOTING LAST NIGHT FOR TO ONE WITH TWO ABSTAINING TO BLOCK RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA BUSINESSES FROM OPERATING WITHIN CITY LIMITS.

IT JOINED 63% OF TOWNS AND CITIES IN NEW JERSEY THAT HAVE VOTED TO BAN RECREATIONAL WE DESALES AND IS THE SECOND LARGEST MUNICIPALITY TO DO SO.

THE COUNCIL PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED A BAN ON ALL MARIJUANA BUSINESSES BUT GAVE IT A DECEMBER 31st EXPIRATION DATE FOR THE COUNCIL TO RECONSIDER.

THIS BOAT MAKES IT PERMANENT.

COUNCILMEMBERS COULD REVISIT THE MARIJUANA ISSUE TO PERMANENT MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES.

RIGHT NOW ZONING LAWS IN TOMS RIVER PROHIBITED MEDICAL DISPENSARIES AS WELL.

>>> HERE IS A CHECK OF WALL STREET TRADING TODAY.

>> >>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NEW JERSEY BUSINESS HALL OF FAME.

A VIRTUAL EVENT ON DECEMBER 9th AT SIX P.M. MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT JA NJ.ORG.

>>> LAST MONTH THE APPLICATION PROCESS OPENED FOR NEW JERSEY'S $40 MILLION FUND FOR UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS AND OTHERS EXCLUDED FROM FEDERAL AND STATE ENDEMIC ASSISTANCE.

SEVERAL UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR THE FUNDS SAY THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO GET THEIR APPLICATIONS APPROVED OR EVEN GET CLARITY ON WHY THEY WERE REJECTED.

NEW JERSEY MONITOR REPORTER SOPHIA --SPOKE WITH SEVERAL UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS ON CONDITION OF ANONYMITY SHE JOINS ME TO SHARE WHAT THEY TOLD HER.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US SOAPY.

FIRST LET'S START WITH THE NUMBERS.

HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE APPLIED AND HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN APPROVED OR REJECTED OVER THE LAST MONTH?

>> SO RIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING BREAK THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SAID ABOUT 6000 PEOPLE HAVE APPLIED.

AND OF THOSE 400 LITTLE OVER 400 HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED.

ABOUT 150 HAVE BEEN OUTRIGHT DECLINE.

OR DENIED.

THAT LEAVES ABOUT 5000 THAT ARE STILL BEING PROCESSED.

THERE HAS BEEN MORE PEOPLE APPLY SINCE THEN.

>> WHY IS THAT?

>> A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

ADVOCATES SAY THE NO LOW NUMBER OF APPLICANTS ALONE IS DUE TO THE LACK OF OUTREACH.

FEAR AROUND APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM.

AND JUST HEARING FROM OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALREADY APPLIED AND COME ACROSS SO MANY DIFFERENT BUMPS IN THE ROAD.

THEY JUST THINK WHY AM I GOING TO APPLY FOR JUST $8000 WHICH ONLY GO SO FAR IN NEW JERSEY?

AS TO WHY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN -- SO FEW PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED.

THE WAY APPLICATIONS WORK IS SIX ORGANIZATIONS IN NEW JERSEY IMMIGRANT ADVOCACY GROUPS AND OTHER IMMIGRATION ORGANIZATIONS ARE THE ONES EVALUATING.

THE APPLICATIONS.

SO BECAUSE OF THAT THEY JUST DON'T HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES TO GO THROUGH IT AS QUICKLY.

AND TALKING TO SOME OF THESE ADVOCATES, WHO ARE FEARFUL TO SPEAK OUT BECAUSE THEY ONLY RECEIVE SO MUCH MONEY FROM THE STATE SO THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY CAN SAY.

THEY ARE JUST KIND OF SAYING THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A CENTRALIZED PLACE TO GO AND ASK QUESTIONS.

IT IS A REALLY CONFUSING PROCESS.

FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.

>> WHY ARE APPLICANTS GETTING DENIED?

HAVE THEY GIVEN YOU IN THE EXAMPLES AND IS THERE ANY RECOURSE?

>> APPLICANTS USUALLY THEY ARE TOLD WHEN THE APPLICATION IS PROCESSING THAT YOU ARE MISSING 5 DOCUMENTS OR MISSING SOME DOCUMENTS.

SOME ADVOCATES ARE NOT TOLD WHAT DOCUMENTS THEY ARE MISSING.

IT IS A GUESSING GAME.

WHICH LEAVES THEM IN THE DARK.

ONE COUPLE I SPOKE WITH THEY BELIEVED THEY WERE DENIED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT PROVE THEY HAD COVID.

THEY GOT SICK IN MARCH 2020 ONE THERE WAS NOT REALLY A ROBUST TESTING PROTOCOL.

AND IF YOU REMEMBER WE WERE GOING TO PEOPLE WERE GOING TO HOSPITALS AND THEY STILL COULD NOT GET TEST.

THIS COUPLE DOES NOT HAVE A POSITIVE COVID TEST.

CANNOT PROVE THEY DID NOT GO TO WORK THAT WEEK BECAUSE THEY WERE SICK.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT THEY BELIEVE THEIR APPLICATION WAS DENIED.

ANOTHER COUPLE I SPOKE WITH SHE IS A CITIZEN AND HE IS AN UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT.

SHE RECEIVED THE STIMULUS CHECK AND THEIR AMERICAN-BORN CHILD RECEIVED A STIMULUS CHECK.

HE SHOULD STILL BE ELIGIBLE BECAUSE HE DID NOT RECEIVE A STAINLESS CHECK.

BUT HE WAS DENIED.

SO THERE ARE REASONS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

>> THE FUND PROVIDES ONE-TIME PAYMENTS OF UP TO $2000 PER HOUSEHOLD.

OUR WORKERS ARE SATISFIED WITH THAT AMOUNT?

>> NO WORKERS ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THAT AMOUNT IN EITHER OUR ADVOCATES.

EVER SINCE THIS FUND WAS ANNOUNCED WAY BACK IN MAY THEY HAVE SAID THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE MONEY GIVEN TO THESE WORKERS.

MANY OF WHOM WERE ESSENTIAL WORKERS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

HAD TO TAKE TIME OFF TO STAY HOME WITH KIDS OR GOT SICK AND LOST THEIR JOBS.

>> EXCELLENT REPORTING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> A FORMER LANDFILL IS NOW A BRAND-NEW CITY PARK ALONG THE DELAWARE RIVER IN CAMDEN.

GOVERNOR MURPHY JOINING CAMDEN MAYOR AND OTHER LEADERS TO OFFICIALLY OPEN KRAMER HILL WATERFRONT PARK.

THE PARK GIVES MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ACCESS TO THE RIVERFRONT AND A NEW RECREATION AREA WITH FISHING KAYAKING ALONG WITH A PLAYGROUND AND GARDEN.

THE LANDFILL OPERATED FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS BUT WAS NEVER CAPPED OR OFFICIALLY CLOSED WHICH LED TO THE SITE BEING USED FOR ILLEGAL DUMPING FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS.

AFTER COMMUNITY ACTIVISM AND THE STATE STEPPING IN CONSTRUCTION BEGAN ON THE PARK IN 2018.

AND WAS COMPLETED THIS PAST SUMMER.

THE GOVERNOR CALLS THIS A NEW CHAPTER IN CAMDEN'S HISTORY AND ALLOWS KRAMER HILLS COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BE A PART OF THE CITY'S REBIRTH AND REVITALIZATION.

>>> THE WRONG CHOICES AND IN EQUITIES OF THE PAST THAT LOOMED OVER THIS NEIGHBORHOOD ARE FINALLY BEING LIFTED.

NO NEIGHBORHOOD IS EXPENDABLE.

JUSTICE COMES IN ALL FORMS.

TODAY IS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.

FOR THE FAMILIES OF KRAMER HILL.

>> THE NEED FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE IS ALWAYS HIGH DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

BUT THIS YEAR FOOD BANKS ARE SEEING A GREATER NEED THAN EVER.

WITH MORE FOLKS TURNING TO PANTRIES AS THEY FACE HIGHER FOOD COSTS AND FEWER RESOURCES.

PANDEMIC RELIEF EIGHT RUNS OUT FOR FAMILIES.

RODRIGUEZ IS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE COMMITTEE FOOD BANK OF NEW JERSEY.

THE STATE'S LARGEST ANTIHUNGER AND ANTIPOVERTY ORGANIZATION.

ON THIS GIVING TUESDAY AND IS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY LOOKING AT FOOD INSECURITY ACROSS THE STATE RODRIGUEZ EXPLAINS WHAT IS CAUSING THE HIGHER THAN USUAL NEED AND WHAT FOLKS CAN DO TO HELP OUT.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US KARLOS.

CARLOS WHAT IS THE NEED FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE LOOKING LIKE THIS YEAR?

>> THE KNEE CONTINUES.

THE PANDEMIC IS FAR FROM OVER.

WE HAVE ABOUT 800,000 NEW JERSEYANS WHO STILL STRUGGLE WITH FOOD INSECURITY.

THAT INCLUDES 200,000 CHILDREN.

UNFORTUNATELY WE THINK THAT NUMBER IS LIKELY TO INCREASE AS THE PANDEMIC AS MANY PANDEMIC RELIEF MEASURES RUN OUT.

BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURE OF FOOD COSTS AND OTHER INFLATION THAT WE ARE SEEING THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

>> CARLOS YOU TOUCH ON THIS BUT WITH PRICES GOING UP DUE TO SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR CUSTOMERS AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE FOOD BANK?

>> FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING AT THE LOCAL STORES.

PAYING ANYWHERE BETWEEN 4 TO 10% MORE FOR FOOD ALONE.

BUT ALSO JUST TO GET TO THEIR FOOD WITH FUEL COST ALSO GOING UP.

WE HOPE THIS IS TEMPORARY.

BUT IT COULD HAPPEN FOR MANY FAMILIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING IT COULD HAVE A LONG STANDING IMPACT.

AS THEY ARE STILL DIGGING THEMSELVES OUT OF A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP FROM THE LAST 20 MONTHS.

THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON TOP OF THE PRESSURE OF BEING IN AN UNSTABLE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT THE LAST 20 MONTHS HAS HAD SO MANY.

AND THEN FOR US OF COURSE WE ARE STILL BUYING TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FOOD.

WE ARE LOOKING TO JUGGLE WHAT IS AVAILABLE WHAT PRICES MAKE THE MOST SENSE.

BECAUSE AS STORES HAVE A CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH STOCKING THEIR SHELVES CONTINUES TO MEAN LESS DONATIONS FOR THE FOOD BANK OR DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF FOOD THAT WE ARE STILL HAVING TO BUY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF EVERYONE IN OUR 15 SERVICE COUNTIES.

>> WHAT FOOD ITEMS ARE MOST IMPACTED?

>> IT REALLY DOES RANGE.

IT IS INTERESTING.

SOMETIMES IT IS AN INGREDIENT THAT HAS AN IMPACT ACROSS A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PRODUCTS.

DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR THERE WAS A STRAIN ON ANYTHING PROTEIN RELATED.

CHICKENS AND ROASTERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT REALLY DOES VARY NOT JUST FROM THE PRODUCT OR INGREDIENT ANY PRODUCT BUT ALSO THE AVAILABILITY TO GET THE PRODUCT IN HOUSE AND TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

IN A TIMELY WAY.

THANKSGIVING WAS JUST A FEW DAYS AWAY.

AND I CAN TELL YOU WE WERE HOLDING OUR BREATH OF MAKING SURE THE DELIVERY OF PRODUCT THAT WE WERE COUNTING ON WOULD GET HERE IN TIME TO GET IT TO OUR LOCAL NEIGHBORS.

>> AS YOU MENTIONED TODAY IS GIVING TUESDAY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS LOOKING TO DONATE.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR FOLKS TO HELP ORGANIZATIONS LIKE YOURS?

>> HERE AT COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NEW JERSEY OUR PARTNERSHIP AND PURCHASING POWER MAKE DONATIONS OF ALL SIZES REALLY GO A LONG WAY.

NO GIFT IS TOO SMALL.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER A DOLLAR HELP SUPPORT THREE NUTRITIOUS MEALS.

A LOT OF THAT IS BECAUSE WE ARE STILL BRINGING IN MORE AND MORE DONATIONS WHERE AVAILABLE.

BUT WE ARE PURCHASING IN BULK AND WHOLESALE AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SO MANY OF OUR FOOD INDUSTRY PARTNERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

SO THAT DOLLAR REALLY HELPS US BRING IN AS MUCH PRODUCT AS WE NEED.

MORE IMPORTANTLY IT HELPS TO PAY TO GET THAT PRODUCT TO OUR LOCAL PANTRIES.

AND OUR NETWORK OF OVER 800 COMMUNITY PARTNERS THROUGHOUT OUR 15 COUNTY SERVICE AREA.

>>> NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL.

CARLOS RODRIGUEZ THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING WITH US ONCE AGAIN.

>>> THANK YOU.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL PLATFORM WHERE WE KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH THE LATEST.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A WONDERFUL NIGHT AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

THE PSEG FOUNDATION AND BY THE FUEL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY -- >>> FUNDING FOR HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION.

WORKING WITH OTHERS TO BUILD A NATIONAL CULTURAL OF HEALTH THAT PROVIDES EVERYONE IN AMERICA A FAIR AND JUST OPPORTUNITY FOR HEALTH AND WELL- BEING.

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE.

THE CHANCE TO BE KNOWN AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA -- AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN >>>