Pantries focus on kids in summer; food needs are different when local schools are out

By: Emily Holody
   School has ended for the summer, and so have school lunches.
   That means many children are now eating three meals a day at home, and an extra lunch is not easy to come by for everyone.
   For the Jamesburg Presbyterian Church and Skeet’s Pantry at the First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury, this means the need for kid food as risen.
   "Once kids are out of school, we try and give them a lunch meal," said Bea Davidson of Deacon’s Food Cupboard.
   That means, more kid-oriented food such as Chef Boyardee, powdered drinks and juice are needed.
   Although the needs of children increase in the summer, Ms. Davidson said the number of people served by Deacon’s drops in the summertime.
   "The difference is, lots of time in the summer, people will get these migrant types of jobs, so they do have some income," said Ms. Davidson.
   She said this usually means the number of people the cupboard helps feed every month drops from 75 to 80 to 60 to 65.
   In Cranbury is doing well, thanks to some recent food drives by the post office and area Boy Scouts.
   "We are in pretty good shape for summertime because of the postal workers food drive," said Fran Stewart of Skeet’s Pantry. "We had quite a good turnout from that. We also get a grant from ShopRite and we’re using some of that."
   Skeets also gets fewer visitors in the summertime. Ms. Stewart said many people who use Skeets in the winter are seasonal workers who work on local farms during the growing and harvesting season and who have less need in the summer.
   There are also fewer expenses in the summer, allowing for more money to be spent on food and supplies and less of a need for pantry help.
   "People have to buy heat in the winter, so they have more expenses in the winter," Ms. Stewart added.
   Ms. Davidson said it is the elderly who make up the biggest group of visitors to the cupboard.
   "We have a large percentage of elderly people who are on fixed incomes, and the cost of housing is high for them," said Ms. Davidson.
   She said that although there are many retirement and age restricted communities in neighboring Monroe, they are very expensive to live in, and lower income housing is limited.
   Making matters worse, Ms. Davidson said, is the fact that the needs of the elderly are greater during the summer because of the heat it brings.
   "Elderly people tend to come more (in the summer) because they need the drinks and juices," said Ms. Davidson.
   Although Ms. Davidson said the Cupboard receives a lot of support from the community, it always needs more donations.
   "We appreciate any help we can get, that’s always the case," said Ms. Davidson.
   Deacon’s currently needs summer drinks, powder drinks, applesauce, cereal, beets, juice, baby wipes, laundry detergent, and deodorant.
   Although Skeets does not have any needs at this time, "in the fall we’ll be cranking it up again," said Ms. Stewart.
   To donate items to Deacon’s Food Cupboard, or if you are in need call (732) 521-1711, or stop by the Jamesburg Presbyterian Church at 177 Gatzmer Ave.
   For Skeet’s Pantry call (609) 395-0897 or stop by the First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury located at 22 S. Main St.