Aidan Barth and Abigail Franco, the visionary co-founders of the LINC Program, have been named recipients of the 2026 Russ Berrie Gen Z Making a Difference Award. The prestigious honor was presented during a ceremony on May 8, 2026, at Ramapo College of New Jersey, marking the 30th and final year of the program’s history of celebrating New Jersey’s unsung heroes.
Barth and Franco established LINC (Linking Initiative for Neighborhood Change) in 2022 to combat resource inequity through a unique intergenerational model. By uniting volunteers of all ages, the duo has successfully tackled food insecurity and provided critical support to underserved families. Their flagship initiative, a community resource pantry in New Providence, serves as a vital hub for distributing food, hygiene products, and clothing to those in need.
Read the full story at: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/new-providence/milestones/linc-founders-honored-with-2026-russ-berrie-gen-z-making-a-difference-award-3