The bag distribution and collection is part of an annual event in which the Scouts help collect food for the Food Pantry’s holiday meal program.
By: Joseph Harvie
The empty shopping bags were distributed last weekend.
This weekend, the Boy Scouts hope to collect those bags, filled with food to help patrons of the township run Food Pantry.
The bag distribution and collection is part of an annual event in which the Scouts help collect food for the pantry’s holiday meal program.
The bags will be collected at 9 a.m. Saturday, said Troop 888 Scoutmaster Frank Gamieri.
He said people who live in rural areas should leave the bags near mailboxes close to the road. In the more residential areas, the bags should be placed near residents’ front doors.
Several township Cub and Boy Scout Packs and Troops dropped the bags off to residences throughout the township, and to parts of Franklin Park and Griggstown, Mr. Gramieri said.
"Everyone got their territory," Mr. Gramieri said. "We estimate that we distributed 10,000 bags to cover all 40,000 residents of South Brunswick."
Last year, the Scouts distributed 4,000 bags and got 15 percent of those bags back. The Scouts hope to top that mark this year, Mr. Gramieri said.
Mr. Gramieri said that with all of the relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the Gulf region on Aug. 29, and the South Asian tsunami in December, he does not want the local Food Pantry to be forgotten.
"With 10,000 bags we figure we are hopefully making a major statement that the pantry needs help," Mr. Gramieri said. "What they’re worried about is where all the other aid is going."
LouAnne Wolf, township director of Social Services, said the pantry could use stuffing, cranberry sauce, canned yams and vegetables, gravy, boxed bake goods and beverages.
"Please make sure what you donate isn’t expired," Ms. Wolf said.
Ms. Wolf said the pantry could also use gift cards to purchase turkeys for pantry patrons’ holiday meals. She said there is no room in the freezers at the pantry because last month the Boy Scouts made different types of bread that were frozen and will be distributed to the patrons for the holidays.
The pantry is also in need of money for the Human Intervention Trust Fund. The trust fund is used to help families who need help paying utility bills such as heat and electricity. They can help a family only once a year.
Ms. Wolf said residents should mail checks to the township, but said they could be also be left in the bags. Checks should be made out to the South Brunswick Human Intervention Trust Fund and mailed to P.O. Box 190, Monmouth Junction, N.J., 08852. Mark the envelope attention LouAnne Wolf or Social Services.
Ms. Wolf also said there is still time to sign up to adopt a township family for the holiday program. Through the holiday program residents and businesses adopt township families in need and provide them with presents and food for the winter holidays.
Anyone interested in volunteering at the pantry or taking part in the holiday program can contact Ms. Wolf at (732) 329-4000, ext. 7674.

