What does community policing have to do with addressing hunger?  Montclair community police officers use food as a way to get to know their community better and build trust.  Community police officer Garth Guthrie stops by Toni’s Kitchen regularly to pic up hot meals or backpacks of healthy food.  As he makes his rounds, Officer Guthrie chats with residents in high-need neighborhoods to understand their challenges and make sure they know the police are there for them.  Bringing a bit of food builds relationships.

“We learn from each other,” said Officer Garth.  “Residents open our eyes to their expectations of police and we learn how to be more effective.”

Working closely with police, Toni’s Kitchen is also learning.  food is  powerful tool to building community and strengthen families.