EDITORIAL: Fires aid leaves cupboards bare

Two recent blazes on Friendship Road are straining the ability of township Social Services to provide help.

   Times have gotten tough for the township Food Pantry and Division of Social Services.
   Two fires in two weeks on Friendship Road that forced three residents from their homes has left the agency’s cupboards and bank accounts a bit bare, forcing the agency to ask the community for help. Social Services lent assistance to both families in the form of clothing, food and money and could find it difficult to lend assistance to others unless local residents and businesses rise to the challenge.
   In particular, the pantry needs plastic utensils, paper cups, paper plates, manual can openers, Parmalat milk, canned tuna, canned chicken salad and crackers. It also could use monetary donations and gift cards to local food stores.
   Bring donations to the Division of Social Services at the Municipal Center on Route 522 in Monmouth Junction, or contact Social Services Director LouAnne Wolf at (732) 329-4000, ext. 7674.
   Checks should be made out to Human Intervention Trust Fund — which is used to for assistance in rent, utility bills, unexpected medical expenses, food and other emergency needs — can be made out to the Human Intervention Fund and mailed to the South Brunswick Township Department of Social Services, P.O. Box 190, Monmouth Junction, N.J. 08852 attn: LouAnne Wolf.