Family benefits from Holiday Program

by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
   The happiest memories from childhood often revolve around the holidays. Sitting down to a feast on Thanksgiving, or waking up to a pile of gifts under the tree on Christmas.
   These can be joyous memories, filled with comfort and warmth, and without a trace of disappointment, stress, or concern for the future.
   These are memories that many children from needy families might never have.
   With the help of some local families and businesses though, South Brunswick Social Services is working to make sure all the township’s kids experience a little joy during the season through its Holiday Program.
   Currently in its 25th year, the program assists less fortunate families during Thanksgiving and Christmas by recruiting residents and businesses to “adopt,” a family with children. The needy families receive a traditional holiday meal, as well as gifts for the kids for Christmas.
   One local woman, whose name is being withheld for her privacy, says the program helped her and her daughters during Thanksgiving this year. She says it all began when Social Services Director LouAnne Wolf got in touch with her.
   ”LouAnne contacted me in November and discussed providing me with food for the Thanksgiving holiday,” the woman said. “I was hesitant at accept. She then told me that there was a wonderful family in town who had already donated food for me and my children.”
   About a year and a half ago, the woman said, she was not working, and living with a physically abusive husband. She says that she took action and is now working, is no longer a victim of domestic violence, and has started over with her three daughters.
   ”It took a great deal of courage, fully knowing that I would be starting over with three children to take care of,” she said. “It was through the amazing assistance of family, friends, and neighbors that I was able to carry on.”
   A time was arranged for her to pick up her family’s holiday meal, and she says she expected to find a simple turkey with a few canned items. What she found was much more than she had imagined.
   ”I was overwhelmed and brought to tears,” she said. “There was an enormous amount of food. All the traditional things and much more.”
   Included in her meal were a turkey, sweet potatoes, gravy, stuffing, fresh and frozen vegetables, fruits, pies, cookie dough, milk, eggs, rolls, cider, juice and cranberry sauce and many other things.
   ”Although the donating family remains anonymous to me, they are remembered in my daily prayers. My children and I sincerely thank this family for their great generosity and compassion,” she said. “To everyone who has reached out and donated to help others get through their difficult times, please know that you are very much appreciated.”
   According to Ms. Wolf, social services was able to get adoptive families for every needy family with children that asked for help — 122 in all. She says that any families in need who have not contacted her can do so by calling social services at (732) 329-4000 ext. 7674.
   Those interested in donating food can do so by bringing it to the social services, in the lower level of the municipal building on Ridge Road.
   Ms. Wolf says that food not used for holiday meals will not be wasted, but put toward the South Brunswick Food Pantry’s regular disbursement.