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Mutual Morris co‑founder Teresa Markella honored with Morris County 'Seeds of Change' award
Summary
The Morris County Human Services Advisory Council Subcommittee on Women presented the 2026 Seeds of Change award to Teresa Markella for leading Mutual Morris, a mutual‑aid network that mobilized roughly 150 volunteers and delivered nearly 4,000 grocery deliveries in its first year.
The Morris County Board joined the Human Services Advisory Council Subcommittee on Women to present the 2026 Seeds of Change award to Teresa Markella, co‑founder of Mutual Morris, a local mutual‑aid network launched at the start of the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Presenters said Mutual Morris grew rapidly in 2020, organizing roughly 150 volunteers who delivered nearly 4,000 grocery packages in the network's first year and who continue to assist neighbors with food, clothing and basic household needs. The subcommittee praised the group's philosophy of "neighbors helping neighbors" and said the network uses volunteer relationships and local coordination rather than relying solely on formal service delivery.
Markella accepted the award and credited grassroots volunteers across Morris County: "We are full of leaders, across the community," she said, thanking friends and the hundreds who helped with the organization's response during the pandemic and beyond.
The board presented the award and photos were taken. Commissioners and subcommittee members said the county values mutual‑aid efforts as a complement to formal social services.
