Pantry needs help filling shelves

South Brunswick Food Pantry needs donations of many kinds

By: Emily Holody
   The South Brunswick Food Pantry is in need.
   While the number of families it serves hasn’t increased too much during the summer, its shelves are nearly bare.
   "The shelves are more barren than normal," Director of Social Service LouAnne Wolf said Wednesday.
   The pantry averages 25 families a month, but got 27 families in June. Ms. Wolf said the number of people using the pantry doesn’t usually change too much during the summer.
   In addition, most of the people who visit the South Brunswick Food Pantry are young families, and "a lot more single people that don’t have children," said Ms. Wolf.
   "People still have food issues and are not making enough money to buy food," said Ms. Wolf.
   The food pantry currently needs beverages including water and juice as well as food such as jelly, canned meats like chili and beef stew, hearty soups, boxed baking mixes and snack foods.
   Fortunately, the pantry is expected to get some help. The Mill Road Day Camp has volunteered to hold a food drive for the pantry. Last year, it donated "huge boxes filled with food," said Ms. Wolf. The camp also did a last-minute school supply drive for the pantry last year.
   "That was literally two days (before school began)," said Ms. Wolf.
   This year the camp hopes to once again hold a backpack/school supply drive for the pantry and will fill the backpacks with school supplies.
   Approximately 65 backpacks were given to families who couldn’t afford to buy school supplies last year. Ms. Wolf said they are hoping for donations from across the town in the form of backpacks filled with supplies if possible. Those donating can decide if they want to make a backpack package for an elementary or high school student, said Ms. Wolf.
   To donate items to the South Brunswick Food Pantry, or if you are in need, contact Ms. Wolf at (732) 329-4000 ext. 7674 or visit the Social Services Department in the Municipal Center on Route 522 in Monmouth Junction between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. T.