POCKETS OF NEED: Part of an occasional series focusing on issues of hunger and financial need in South Brunswick.
By: Joseph Harvie
The township helped a record number of families in need this year and received enough donations to make its annual Holiday Program a success, said LouAnne Wolf, director of Social Services.
Ms. Wolf said the township Food Pantry, currently located in Woodlot Park on New Road, helped 129 families and 32 individuals or couples this year through the annual Holiday Program, a township run service that provides meals and toys for families in need during the holiday season.
Ms. Wolf said the number of people in need coming to the pantry has risen over the past two years. In 2003, the pantry helped 129 families and individuals. In 2002 it helped 110 families and individuals.
However, she said it was nice to see South Brunswick residents and businesses help those who are less fortunate.
"I am a little concerned that there were so many families," Ms. Wolf said. "It is great that we could accommodate them and the fact that we can help them all is a reflection of how great our town is."
The Holiday Program is aided by the help of township volunteers who sort food and fill baskets to be delivered to the needy.
"We had about 15 volunteers this year," Ms. Wolf said. "We had our regulars that came every day, and then we had people that came periodically."
The program also benefited from the help of local businesses, including Red River BBQ on Georges Road in Dayton.
Rusty Findlay, the owner of Red River BBQ and 11 other barbecue restaurants across the United States, flew from Chicago to cook holiday meals for 10 township families on Christmas Day.
The meals consisted of a turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, apple pie and some of his world famous ribs.
"The families that got back to me said it was absolutely amazing," Ms. Wolf said. "They said the food was terrific. One mother said her 8-year-old son was chowing down on those ribs and the food was the greatest."
Ms. Wolf said residents donated a lot of time, money and food this year.
Ms. Wolf said some school parents donated money after a letter was sent home through the school district.
At the beginning of the holiday season Ms. Wolf also was concerned about the amount of money coming into the pantry for the Human Intervention Trust Fund.
Ms. Wolf said area businesses came through at the end of the season, cutting checks and donating them to the trust fund.
"They once again prove that we’ve got a great township," Ms. Wolf said.
The Stop & Shop in Dayton announced in a press release Tuesday that it raised $1,493 for the trust as part of its company-wide Food for Friends campaign. The money was raised through the sale of paper turkeys and other events.
She said the fund has approximately $22,000, about $2,000 more than last year.
The money is used to help township families who fall victim to fires, homelessness and who are down on their luck and may need help paying PSE&G bills, said Ms. Wolf.
Despite filling 161 holiday baskets, the Food Pantry shelves are still full, Ms. Wolf said.
"What happened is that last push," Ms. Wolf said. "People just gave a lot and we were able to have plenty to spare to continue into the new year."

