Little Silver firefighters Joe Senkeleski, Chris Boyle, Frank Salerno, Joe Lauterwasser and Jim Jimenaro weigh a total of 1,442 pounds. NEPTUNE — Close to 100 firemen gathered at the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties in Neptune on Jan. 28 to kick off the first Firehouse Weight Loss Challenge between 20 Monmouth and Ocean County firehouses.
The eight-week Weight Loss Challenge will benefit the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
Participating firefighters are from 20 firehouses in towns including Fair Haven, Little Silver, Oceanport, Shrewsbury, Tinton Falls, and Wanamassa.
Before the weigh-in held at the Atlantic Club in Red Bank, firefighters were served a pasta dinner as well as a chocolate, chocolate dessert.
The firefighters will have weekly oneon one coaching, simple recipes using grocery store foods, as well as educational handouts to help them achieve their weight loss goals.
In addition, the firefighters will also receive an eight-week membership to The Atlantic Club in Red Bank and Wall, which is sponsoring the weight loss challenge.
Oceanport firefighters (l-r) Mike Patterson, Wes Sherman, Jeff Waybright, Lenny Santos and Jason Patterson weigh in at 1,319 pounds. At the end of eight weeks, the total pounds lost by all firefighters will be compiled and The Atlantic Club will donate $1 per pound to The FoodBank.
Members of the fire department who have lost the most weight will win $1,000 for their firehouse.
The FoodBank, a member of Feeding America, distributes 4 million pounds of emergency food annually to 270 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other programs that feed the needy throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties.
To learn more about visit www.foodbankmoc. org or call 732-918-2600.