Pantry use up in down economy

by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
   Requests for aid from the township’s Social Services Department have considerably increased in 2008, with need remaining high before the holiday season even begins.
   The department has seen a marked increase in use of its food pantry in nearly every month in 2008 compared to 2007, according to Director LouAnne Wolf. The department also has spent more money out of its Salvation Army and Human Intervention Trust funds this year than it did during the same time period in 2007, Ms. Wolf said.
   ”The economy is affecting everyone, not just low-income families,” Ms. Wolf said. “There is absolutely a good chance that people are not going to be able to give as much for the holidays this year, and there will be more need at the same time.”
   During the first nine months of 2007, 215 families used the food pantry. The pantry served 302 families through the same period this year. The increase has been consistent through out the year. Over the last three months, there have been 121 individuals who have sought help from the pantry — 40 in both July and August and 41 in September. During the same time period in 2007, there were 79 individuals — 21 in July, 33 in August and 25 in September.
   The Human Intervention Trust Fund, which assists people with monthly bills and other necessary expenses, such as rent and utilities, has offered about $10,000 more in assistance during the first nine months of this year than it did during the same period in 2007. Ms. Wolf said Social Services provided $57,184 from the trust fund through the September this year. It spent about 47,000 during the same period in 2007, she said.
   ”I would say that 99 percent of the time it is a water bill or PSE&G bill,” Ms. Wolf said.
   The Salvation Army fund, which is used for the same kind of expenses as the Human Intervention fund, also is seeing increased use this year. Last year the department, which administers the fund in South Brunswick, used $9,200 in Salvation Army money for the entire year, according to Ms. Wolf. This year it has spent $9,800 so far, leaving about $200 in the account. Ms. Wolf said that Social Services only allows for maximum donations of $200 at a time, in accordance with Salvation Army rules.
   Ms. Wolf said the Social Services is in the midst of planning its holiday program, which provides holiday dinners and gifts to families who qualify. The food and gifts are provided by local residents and businesses. She said that Social Services is making a strong effort to make sure that the people who sign up for the program and get help from Socials Services’ various programs are actually needy.
   Ms. Wolf said Social Services could use an infusion of food for the pantry and money for the Human Intervention Trust Fund, in addition to people willing to help provide Thanksgiving donations. For Thanksgiving, the pantry needs donations of canned yams, canned vegetables, stuffing, muffins, cranberry sauce and gift cards for turkeys.
   ”We just ask that people please think of those families at Thanksgiving that do need food,” Ms. Wolf said.
   Those who are interested in donating food for the pantry or the holiday program can do so by bringing items to Social Services in the lower level of the Municipal Building on Ridge Road in Monmouth Junction. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Donations can be made at any time in a bin outside the department’s office.
   Those interested in donating to the Human Intervention Trust Fund can do so by making out a check to the Human Intervention Trust Fund, and mailing it to South Brunswick Township P.O. Box 190 Monmouth Junction, N.J. 08852, attention: Social Services.