Spring food drive in schools runs Feb. 25-March 8
Students at 131 public and private schools in Middlesex County will be collecting canned goods and other nonperishable food items during the seventh annual spring food drive organized by the Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services (MCFOODS).
The two-week effort will run from Feb. 25 through March 8. All the food collected will be distributed to Middlesex County food pantries and soup kitchens.
"A record number of schools are involved and we are hoping for great results," said Middlesex County Freeholder Jane Z. Brady, the founder of MCFOODS and the chairwoman of the annual school drive.
"The participation of the students and their teachers is particularly important this year. Because of the tough economy, the food banks and food pantries are serving more people, and supplies at the distribution center are running low," Brady said. "It’s also an opportunity for the children to learn that we all have a responsibility to help our neighbors and give something back to our communities."
During the drive, students will bring canned goods and nonperishable items such as cereal, pasta and rice, personal items such as toothpaste and deodorant, and baby supplies such as diapers and wipes to their schools. The items will be placed in green plastic collection bins provided to each school by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA).
Staff members from the MCIA and the county’s Parks and Roads Departments will collect the bins from the schools and transport them to a warehouse on Jersey Avenue in New Brunswick.
Brady encouraged all Middlesex County residents to support the school food drive.
"You don’t have to be a parent of a participating student," she said. "If one of the schools is near your house, you can help by giving your neighborhood children items to bring in."
Brady said volunteers are needed to sort the food at the warehouse.
Individuals or groups interested in helping with this effort should call (732) 729-0880.
Residents may also donate canned and nonperishable food items year round at MCFOODS drop-off sites, including the public libraries in Milltown, Monroe, North Brunswick, South Brunswick and other locations.
Local schools participating in the spring drive include:
In East Brunswick: the Middlesex County Vocational High School, Bowne Munro School, Central School, Chittick Elementary School, Churchill Junior High School, East Brunswick High School, East Brunswick Vocational School, Frost Elementary School, Hammarskjold Middle School, Irwin School, Kindercare Learning Center, Lawrence Brook School, Memorial School, Warnsdorfer School.
In Jamesburg: the Grace M. Breckwedel School is participating; and in Monroe: the Academy Learning Center, Applegarth Middle School, Mill Lake School, Monroe High School and the Woodland School.
In Old Bridge: the Cheesequake Elementary School, St. Thomas the Apostle School, Southwood School and the Walter M. Schirra School. Also, in Sayreville: the Emma L. Arleth School and the Cornerstone Christian Academy/Agapeland Day Care Center, as well as South River High School.
In Spotswood: the Goddard School, Pixie Pre-School, Spotswood Memorial School and the G. Austin Schoenly School.