EAST BRUNSWICK
E.B. residents seek donations
for nearby Elija’s Promise
More than 300 are fed daily by Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK — Thanksgiving is often seen as an opportunity to help those less fortunate, but what about the people in need of help year round?
JEFF HUNTLEY East Brunswick residents Shari Guben and Denise Falon collect food items in their home for Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen, New Brunswick. The women make deliveries to the facility each week, which helps feed more than 300 people on a daily basis.
Township residents Shari Guben and Denise Falon collect donations for Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen, New Brunswick.
Elijah’s Promise, located at 18 Nielson St., routinely provides more than 300 warm meals every day to the homeless and unemployed members of the community, as well as their families, according to Guben.
"Denise and I got involved because we truly believe that each and every person can make a difference," said Guben.
"If every person in our community would donate just one can of food, imagine all the people we could feed?"
Guben, a mother of four, and Falon, who is expecting, take time out of their busy days to do what they consider their civic responsibility.
"Elijah’s Promise doesn’t just feed the homeless; they feed all those people who can’t afford to eat because of unexpected circumstances in their lives," Guben said. "Anyone can lose their job at any moment."
Guben thinks that because the soup kitchen is not in the "best of areas," most people are discouraged from volunteering or dropping off items there. That is why she and Falon have recently begun collecting in their homes.
"We don’t mind being middlemen if it gets people fed this winter," said Guben.
Both food and monetary gifts are welcome.
"We are both a little surprised and touched by the response we’ve been getting from community businesses," added Guben. "7-Eleven gave us a check the other day — no questions asked. They just trusted that we were on the level and their donation was for a good cause. More people should think that way," said Guben.
Anyone interested in donating to Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen may contact Shari Guben at (732) 247-4398 or Denise Falon at (732) 448-9357.

