CUMAC Hosts Bishop’s Visit to Highlight Commitment to Radical Hospitality and Future Growth

January 29, 2025

On December 11, 2024, CUMAC ECHO (Center of United Methodist Aid to the Community Ecumenically Concerned Helping Others) proudly welcomed Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi for a special visit. During the visit CUMAC showcased their unwavering commitment to serving the community with radical hospitality and vision for a food-secure future.

During the visit, CUMAC emphasized its dedication to addressing not only food security, but also broader, holistic challenges faced by the community. CUMAC’s leaders shared their ambitious plans to transform vacant 8,000 ft of space into shared space with community-serving partners. This development will enable the organization to leverage its space and partnerships toward the best-and-highest needs of those they serve, reinforcing CUMAC’s role as a trusted anchor organization in the county.

The development of this space will help CUMAC become a true ‘one-stop’ shop for families seeking comprehensive support; they will be expanding and deepening wrap-around services, as well as providing space for strategic partners to do their work in the same space. This resource-hub will be meant to promote personal resilience, self-sufficiency, and upward mobility.

Bishop Moore-Koikoi was deeply moved by her visit

“I was astounded by the magnitude of the kin-dom building ministry being done through CUMAC. The employees and volunteers of CUMAC are doing remarkable work is having a tremendous impact on the Patterson community.

As I heard about the history of CUMAC and how it got started, I was overwhelmed with gratitude.  One person’s faithful response to a prompting of the Holy Spirit was so inspirational that it spread, leading many others to offer their time, talent, and treasure to the ministry. Forty years later tens of thousands of clients, employees, and volunteers have experienced the love of God and had glimpses of Shalom because of CUMAC. CUMAC is a testament to the loving, calling, and equipping activity of God.

My prayer is that God will continue to call and inspire disciples who will continue to respond in faith so that in the midst of the brokenness of this world some might come to know wholeness and experience the love of God.”

CUMAC staff and friends were grateful for the chance to meet the new episcopal leader of EPA & GNJ.  “Bishop Moore-Koikoi’s visit was a powerful reminder of the strength and importance of our shared mission,” said Jessica Padilla Gonzalez, CEO of CUMAC. “We are deeply rooted in the tradition of radical hospitality and we are inspired to continue building on this foundation to create even greater impact for our community. Our partnership with United Methodist Congregations remains central to our work, and we look forward to expanding our efforts together.”

“I am so glad that Bishop Moore-Koikoi took the time to see CUMAC in action,” said Rev. Jeff Markay, CUMAC Board Member and Senior Pastor of Chatham UMC. “We United Methodists are at our best when we are serving those who are in need. CUMAC has been a vibrant witness of United Methodist compassion in the City of Paterson for the last 40 years!”

The event also provided an opportunity to reflect on the unique role CUMAC plays in fostering collaboration and uplifting vulnerable populations beyond food alone. For example, the organization explained to Bishop Moore-Koikoi that they recently launched a new innovation known as “Full-Loop Benefits Navigation.” It works by embedding benefits administrators into the fabric of community-serving front-line organizations where individuals are seeking immediate services, such as food distribution.

It has already been seeing tremendous results, building trust, eliminating months-long wait times, or enduring long lines to wait for assistance. Padilla Gonzalez said of the partnership, “We remain steadfast in our commitment to serve and expand resources for our community; by partnering together, we are streamlining pathways to enable upward mobility and ignite change in Paterson and beyond.”

In 2024 CUMAC served 35,000 families (about 72,000 individuals) with 5-days-worth of groceries per month, at a market-rate value of $200 per person per month. CUMAC’s wholesale purchasing relationships and efficiencies, alongside their extensive food rescue and gleaning work, maximize donations by a factor of 6.5. This means that for every $100 donated, CUMAC purchases a market-value of $650 in healthy, fresh, culturally-appropriate shelf-stable groceries for guests in need.

CUMAC is run by a staff of 30, 80% of whom are from the Paterson community. The organization is heavily reliant on volunteerism, accepting up to 18 volunteers per day to support their extensive operation.

CUMAC’s impact and influence in the community is far-reaching. In the words of D.S. Eunice Vega-Perez,

 “CUMAC is doing an amazing ministry in the city of Paterson and beyond. It is inspiring to see a ministry where every person is treated with dignity and compassion, reflecting the love of Christ in such a tangible way. The way CUMAC addresses physical, emotionally, and spiritual needs truly exemplifies what ii means to be the body of Christ, showing people that they are seen, valued, and loved.

I believe that when we come together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who are often marginalized and oppressed. This kind of ministry helps to move God’s reign forward and reminds us of all our shared responsibility to care for one another.

Let’s continue to support this vital work, knowing that through these actions, we are actively participating in God’s transformative love.”

There are lots of ways you can support this vital work.

  • You can donate to support their mission at www.cumac.org.
  • You can reach out to Andrea Ramalho, Chief Development Officer (aramalho@cumacecho.org, to learn more about their programs and how your church can support their work.
  • Or you can save the date and plan to attend CUMAC’s 40th Anniversary Gala on September 18, 2025 at the Westmount Country Club