There's an Emergency Meal Plan Program in place for Camden County residents over 60 years old temporarily during this pandemic.  Individuals who are already receiving home-delivered meal services will AUTOMATICALLY get a week's worth of meals delivered once a week, a mix of frozen and fresh meals, dropped off on their porch or, if they live in an apartment complex, it will be delivered to the lobby. The driver will then call the person and let them know the meal is there. They will be doing this every week for the next 3 weeks. For those who are not already receiving home-delivered meal services, they can call 856-374-6325 and arrange to have emergency meals delivered. They do not have to be in the home delivered meals program to receive this temporary service during the pandemic. Please call above number to apply directly and arrange to have emergency meals delivered.

On March 14th Merchantville School closed to help stem the spread of coronavirus. Monday, March 16th, will be a teacher in-service day and students will not report to the building and starting Tuesday, March 17th, through Friday, March 27th, remote learning will take place. All activities are canceled during this time period. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to Merchantville students during this closure. St. Peter School posted a message to their school community announcing a temporary closure effective March 16th. Parents can expect St. Peter's to be closed for at least 2 weeks and were directed to review a special statement by Bishop Sullivan concerning the closure of all Diocesan schools and communications sent by the principal concerning remote instruction and assessment. Haddon Heights High School alerted Merchantville parents that remote learning would be instituted from March 16th - March 27th. This schedule is subject to change and may be extended based on future consultations with the Camden County Department of Health. 

These guidelines from the CDC are focused on household settings and are meant for the general public. Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. For disinfection, diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.

Stay active - Watch your diet - Stay on top of stress - Get enough sleep - Be strategic about supplements are just a few science-backed tips for strengthening your immune response to coronavirus quickly and effectively. When it comes to fighting coronavirus, you already know that handwashing and avoiding those who may be sick are key precautions. But experts say that boosting your immune system may also give you an edge in fending off viruses and staying healthy this season. Here are five smart steps shared by AARP to add to your to-do list now.

Marie Peze (nee Dunleavy), age 99 of Merchantville passed away on Friday, March 13, 2020. Beloved wife of the late Richard J. Peze; devoted mother of Richard Peze of Peachtree City, GA, Gary Peze (Diane) of Merchantville and Janice Withers (Dominic) of Tabernacle. Marie is survived by eight grandchildren, Siri Lackovic (Paul), Jeffrey Peze (Monica), Jessica Hickenbottom (William), Brett Peze (Jayne), David Peze (Amy), Ritchie Mazzaglia (Joy), Jillian Ormsby (Christopher), Ashley Cardini (Michael); eleven great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by all seven of her siblings and their spouses. Marie was a 29 year resident of Holiday City in Williamstown and a leader in the Girl Scouts and Boys Scouts. She was an active church member and worked as a bookkeeper for various companies ultimately retiring from Dunleavy’s Restaurant in Hainesport. She was an avid traveler and travel organizer. She particularly enjoyed traveling with her sisters Florence and Helen. Full obituary.

Moms and dads who re looking for educational entertainment while schools and daycares are closed can join Miss Paige for "Little Readers Theatre" at a storytime right on Facebook LIVE! On Monday, March 16th at 10:30 a.m. Login to Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/camdencountylibrary and your kiddies can enjoy 45 minutes of silly stories, songs, felt board stories, and finger plays. While the Camden County Library System - and Merchantville Branch - has decided to cancel all on-site Library-sponsored programming until April 1st, they will be offering some virtual events and programs for the entire family.

Breakfast and lunch will be made available to resident students on a weekly basis beginning March 17th at Merchantville School. Resident students including high school students, may come pick up bag lunches and breakfasts at designated times. Students will need to give their name, grade and school in order to pick up the lunches. Students that pay for lunches will have the amount added to their account balance. Students will enter through the door by the playground, give their information, pick up the lunches and exit out the door by the teacher’s parking lot. On Tuesday, March 17th, students may pick up 4 lunches and breakfasts between 11:00 am and 1:00pm. On Monday, March 23rd, students may pick up 5 lunches and breakfasts between 11:00 am and 1:00pm.

Census 2020 starting April 1, 2020 means Merchantville Counts Too! MerchantvilleTambienCuenta! It's Easy. Es Facil. It's Safe. Es Seguro.  It's Important. Es Importante. Between March 12-20: Initial invitations to respond online and by phone will be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Areas that are less likely to respond online will receive a paper questionnaire along with the invitation to respond online or over the phone. March 16-24: Reminder letters will be delivered. March 26-April 3: Reminder postcards will be delivered to households that have not responded. April 8-16: Reminder letters and paper questionnaires will be delivered to remaining households that have not responded. April 20-27: Final reminder postcards will be delivered to households that have not yet responded before census takers follow up in person. May 13-July 31: If a household does not respond to any of the invitations, a census taker will follow up in person.

The pandemic of coronavirus is causing disruption to the lives of people throughout the world and Merchantville is no different. I want to assure the residents of Merchantville that throughout this pandemic, the Borough is committed to and has put into place certain contingencies to ensure the continued provision of essential services to the community including police, fire and other first responders, along with public works and other essential services. We are working with our partners at the County, State and Federal levels on contingency planning to obtain resources and to implement effective planning. Full text of Mayor Brennan's message to residents.

Medford Company Store invites you to 204 Westminster Avenue, Merchantville on March 14th & 15th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a real treasure hunt of world travelers’ belongings. If you can only get to one estate sale this weekend, come to this one - we're all set with hand sanitizer, disinfectants and an easy to access kitchen sink. This clean, bright, charming house has 3 stories and a basement. And here’s what you’ll find: Antiques - American and Asian, Mid Century Modern Books, Fine Art & Prints, Contemporary Japanese Art, Accessories & Books, Shoji Screens, Beautiful Rugs, Lighting, Crystal, Silver Plate, HUGE Collection of Lilliput Lane, King & Country Lead Soldiers, Slide Carousel Trays, Pewter, Pottery, Medical Cabinet, Artsy Medical/Lab Glassware, Sheet Music Cabinets, Large Collection of Sheet Music, Music CDs, Christmas, Halloween, Vacuums, Linens, Old Doors, Down Quilts and lots more. We do need to get this house emptied.