It’s important to keep aiding those in need
The amount of giving in 2001 was unprecedented. There were piles of food and warehouses full of clothes and boxes of checks, all earmarked for victims of Sept. 11.
The giving continued, to a certain extent, when we hit Thanksgiving and Christmas, a time traditionally set aside for thinking about those in need.
Most area food pantries reported good turnout in terms of donations and every family and person in need who asked received turkeys with all the trimmings, as well as enough food for a month.
But, for some reason, the Deacons’ Food Cupboard at the Presbyterian Church of Jamesburg was left out. Donations were low in December and organizers were worried about not having enough food for the coming months.
Well, the "coming months" are here and, as feared, there is trouble.
The cupboard is asking for other churches, residents and businesses in the area who usually help, to help once again and make a donation of money or food or to even volunteer a few hours each week.
The Deacons’ Food Cupboard distributes food, paper goods and hygiene items to 24 families every month.
And, just as at Christmas and Thanksgiving, the cupboard wants to give those in need something special for the Easter Holiday, namely, a turkey or ham.
But to make this happen, the cupboard needs your help.
The last part of 2001 was indeed a time to help our neighbors. But, as usual, just when things were looking good, everything changed.
It happens every year. Bills come in, the holidays are in our rear-view mirror, and, this year, many are recovering emotionally from the effects of Sept. 11.
It’s important that during this time of year, the time not usually associated with large amounts of giving, that we remember our neighbors and make a donation to a local food pantry.
Making a donation won’t just help some random stranger, but someone you might know, like your neighbor, or maybe one of your children’s classmates.
The cupboard keeps the names of recipients confidential, but you can bet that they are not much different from the rest of us.
Maybe they’ve recently been laid off, or have to work a job that doesn’t pay that much. Or, maybe they have a sick family member who is unable to work, or whose treatment is costly.
Making donations to places like the Deacons’ Food Cupboard can help these families get back on their feet, and money they normally would have been spent on food can instead go toward something else, like the electric bill, or clothes, or gas for the car.
If you would like to make a donation, please call the church office at (732) 521-1711. The church is located at the corner of Gatzmer Avenue and Church Street.