CASC needs food, money desperately

The Hightstown center for those in need is feeling the effects of a poor economy.

By: Scott Morgan
   HIGHTSTOWN — For the Hightstown-East Windsor Community Action Service Center, the empty shelves are a terrible sign. In no uncertain terms, it means the food pantry has run completely dry.
   "It’s a tough go right now," said Councilwoman Nancy Walker-Laudenberger, who sits on the center’s board of directors. They’re in a tough spot."
   Steadily over the past year, CASC has been losing ground. First, said Executive Director Lydia Santoni-Lawrence, monetary donations to CASC got smaller and smaller. Now, with a down-market economy creating more traffic than the center can comfortably handle, Ms. Laudenberger said, the need has outstripped the supply.
   But there are efforts to help. With the knowledge that the center is in desperate need of food, the Borough Council has decided to assist with food collections and is conducting an ongoing food drive. Ms. Laudenberger said she began her appeals by e-mailing friends and friends of friends and asking them to drop off food at one of three spots — Borough Hall, CASC or the Laudenbergers’ front door.
   "Then every day there was a new bag of food on my front porch," she said.
   There also is help from the law firm Stark & Stark, which in response to recent media attention has begun accepting donations of nonperishable foods from its employees through May 2. Ms. Santoni-Lawrence added that First Union Bank on North Main Street is collecting food during regular business hours. Also, she said, the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown and the Princeton Junior League are conducting a food drive.
   Ms. Laudenberger cautioned, however, that the need will remain well after today’s food is distributed.
   "It’s a day-to-day struggle," she said.
   The center seeks donations of nonperishable foods such as rice, canned fruits and vegetables, canned meats and fish, cereal and baby food. Donations still are being accepted at Borough Hall, 148 N. Main St., and at the Community Action Service Center, 116 N. Main St.
   "Money is also welcome," Ms. Laudenberger said.
   For more information or to donate, call the Community Action Service Center at 443-4464.