Kiwanis Community Food Pantry of Rossmoor collects and distributes 20 tons of food a year.
By: Al Wicklund
Editor’s note: Part of an occasional series focusing on issues of hunger and financial need in the Jamesburg, Monroe area.
MONROE Approaching its 14th anniversary, the Kiwanis Community Food Pantry of Rossmoor collects and distributes 20 tons of food a year.
Matt Damiano, 85, a resident of Rossmoor and the pantry’s chairman, said Wednesday the food goes to less fortunate families in Monroe Township and surrounding communities.
The Kiwanis Pantry is a year-round program that provides food for some 200 families on a regular twice-a-month schedule. The people working in the program never know the names of the families receiving the food.
The numbers of families and their makeup from two to four or five family members are given to the Kiwanis by the Monroe Township Senior Center, the Board of Deacons Food Cupboard of the Presbyterian Church of Jamesburg and other welfare agencies.
"We’re an all-volunteer group of some 40 men and women. No one gets paid. We don’t even have a telephone," Mr. Damiano said.
He said the group considered getting a phone, but decided against it, preferring to spend the money on food instead.
He’s proud of his volunteers and the good they do for other people.
"These volunteers are dedicated and devoted. They brighten the lives of many through their unselfish efforts," he said.
Mr. Damiano said the pantry is totally reliant on donations.
"We have terrific purchasing power. With the contributions of many individuals and organizations, we raise about $20,000 a year," he said.
He said some of the food is donated, but the greater part is purchased at sharply discounted prices.
Mr. Damiano said he and others involved in purchasing the food had an excellent teacher in the late Walter Runyon.
"Walt Runyon was a smart businessman. He taught us how to buy," he said.
He said Mr. Runyon, Jim O’Malley and John Conway started the Kiwanis Food Pantry in the spring of 1995. He said Mr. O’Malley is no longer as active as he used to be, and Mr. Conway is "the man who makes everything work."
Mr. Damiano said the pantry workers set up bags of food for families according to their size, usually from two to four members. They assemble the food in a trailer adjacent to the township’s Department of Public Works.
Mr. Damiano for 25 years was in manufacturing in his own company, Matt Industries of New York. He moved to Rossmoor 19 years ago and has been chairman of the Pantry program since 1995.
Contributions to the Pantry should be made payable to the Kiwanis Community Food Pantry and should be sent to Henry Bornkamp, Treasurer, 614-A Winchester Lane, Monroe Township, NJ 08831.
Families in need can get more information by calling the Senior Center at (732) 521-6111 or the Presbyterian Church of Jamesburg at (732) 521-1711.