Ledger, Packet help HomeFront with food drive

HomeFront is looking for non-perishable food donations to allow needy families in the area to enjoy Thanksgiving. A $50 prize will be awarded to the most creative donation basket.

   The Lawrence Ledger and The Princeton Packet have teamed up with HomeFront to once again provide Thanksgiving meals for needy families in Mercer County.
   HomeFront, a nonprofit organization based in Lawrence, is offering its annual Thanksgiving basket drive. Each year, traditional holiday food is distributed to families in need throughout the county.
   The Ledger and Packet will assist in the drive by providing drop-off points for donation. The baskets will be collected between Thursday, Oct. 26 and Thursday, Nov. 16 and delivered to HomeFront prior to Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 23).
   A $50 prize will be given to the person who drops off the most creative basket. Fill out the accompanying form and attach it securely to the basket.
   Baskets should include:
   • Cranberry sauce;
   • Canned vegetables (peas, string beans, carrots or corn);
   • Dry boxed mashed potatoes;
   • Canned fruit (pears, applesauce, peaches or mixed fruit);
   • Fruit juice (cans, bottles or juice boxes);
   • Stuffing mix;
   • Muffin, pancake or baking mixes;
   • Dessert items (cake, pie, pudding, pastries or baking mix);
   • Turkey certificate.
   HomeFront does not have the capacity to store fresh or frozen turkeys, but many supermarkets offer certificates that families can redeem for Thanksgiving turkeys. All donated items must be nonperishable.
   Connie Mercer, executive director of HomeFront, encourages would-be-donors to include food items for meals after Thanksgiving.
   "Many of our families need to eat the day after (Thanksgiving) and the next day," she said.
   Suggested items are: tuna, beef stew, canned or evaporated milk, dry soup mixes, hot and cold cereal, rice, pasta, tomato sauce, peanut butter, and jelly.
   Donations can be dropped at The Lawrence Ledger’s office in Hopewell, located in the Hopewell Village Square shopping center at 52 E. Broad Street (Route 518). For further directions, call (609) 466-8650.
   Donations also can be dropped at The Princeton Packet’s office in Princeton at 300 Witherspoon St. For further directions, call (609) 924-3244.