SJBiz_AroundTown_Camden_0421_AroundTown 4 / 19 / 21 2 : 12 PM Page 1 around town Coming As they continue to drive the city of Camden’s economic resurgence , businesses remain committed to serving the community as it weathers the pandemic’s storm . Together [ By Liz Hunter ] cleaning supplies and hygiene products — is just lthough the COVID - 19 pandemic had Anthony Minniti , who co - owns 90 - year - old one more resource , in addition to social services , all the makings to stall Camden’s Bell Pharmacy with his sister Marian Morton , says maintenance and health and financial workshops progress in establishing itself as an his independent pharmacy is filling some gaps A offered by LSMNJ , and helps relieve the burden economic competitor in the Philadelphia in vaccine distribution in the city . on residents who sometimes have to choose region , it was no match for the resolve of the “ It’s a paradox in Camden where there are between paying bills or putting food on the table . organizations and the people that have dedi - world - class medical facilities driving the renais - “ They have many obstacles that they are con - cated themselves to this mission . sance in the city , but much of it remains difficult fronted with , ” Roscoe says . “ Our goal is to pro - Long - awaited projects , including the Hilton to access for true Camden residents . … They are vide our residents with services that not only meet Garden Inn , which opened in December 2020 , competing with people from across the region their needs but go that extra step . Knowing that and the multi - million dollar Camden High who are coming here for resources as it relates they can always come and get fresh food and toi - School , didn’t skip a beat , and more good news to COVID - 19 , including the vaccine , ” Minniti says . letries takes one less thing off their plate . … We is on the horizon for the city , says Camden Bell Pharmacy , which is located in the Park - are all responsible for our County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr . side neighborhood , made a commitment to fellow neighbors “ The newest project approved by the obtain vaccines and ensure that they would first espite the difference in zip code . With support d Land Use Board is the development of a last - be made available to Camden residents . Before of the community , we can continue to not only mile warehousing facility on Admiral Wilson vaccines were in hand , there was also an impor - grow the pantry in Camden but also open other Boulevard , ” Cappelli says of the $ 20 million , tant educational aspect to consider . “ In commu - 145,390 - square - foot distribution center from nities of color there is vaccine hesitancy , and their Matrix Development Group . “ Once built , it fears and experiences are legitimate . It took a will create over 200 permanent jobs lot of one - on - one conversations , but I think which the there’s a certain level of trust that comes from residents of Camden will be eligible for . It’s a being part of this community for 90 years , ” he win - win for the city . ” says . “ They are looking to us on whether or not Eyes have been on the Walter Rand Trans - they go forward with it . That’s not something portation Center for years , and many are happy they’ll get from a corporate rep from a chain . ” to have Gov . Phil Murphy’s official funding It wasn’t just health care needs , but everyday commitment of at least $ 250 million for renova - essentials that residents required , and organi - tions and expansions . “ We can now begin cre - zations worked hard to respond . Lutheran ating a plan for the site , ” Cappelli says . “ It’s a Social Ministries of New Jersey ( LSMNJ ) opened long - term proposition but I’m optimistic that the a food pantry in fall 2019 with the goal of pro - process has started and puts us closer to a world - viding a healthy food source for residents — a class transportation center in Camden city . ” location that also proved significant when the Yet , the past year has still been dominated pandemic hit . by the pandemic , and top of mind for so many Craig Roscoe , LSMNJ social worker and pro - has been delivering crucial health care services gram manager , says demand to residents of Camden . Cappelli says providers remained steady Amanda Sember such as Cooper Health and Rutgers School of at the onset of the pandemic , with an uptick administers Bell Nursing have been key partners in in need for toilet paper and hand soap . The both testing Pharmacy’s first COVID - 19 vaccine food pantry — which also provides baby items , and vaccinations for residents . 16 | SOUTH JERSEY BIZ | VOLUME 11 ISSUE 4 | SouthJerseyBiz.net