By Davy James, Staff Writer
The South Brunswick Food Pantry has long relied on help from the community to serve those in need throughout the township. But from March 1 through April 30, donations to the pantry will take on an extra significance.
The Feinstein Foundation, an anti-hunger charity based in Rhode Island, runs an annual program during which it divides $1 million among anti-hunger agencies throughout the nation, donating money to groups that raise money on their own. The Feinstein Foundation also gives $1 per donated food item during the two-month period.
”It’s phenomenal in these economic times that this foundation is still able to continue this program giving away money,” said Social Services Director LouAnne Wolf. “Their goal is to help feed the hungry so this couldn’t be better for us.”
This is the 13th year the Feinstein Foundation has run the Annual Challenge to Fight Hunger and it has helped raise more than $1 billion for over 2,000 anti-hunger agencies nationwide, according to the group’s Web site.
The more donations the pantry receives from March 1 through April 30, the more money it will receive from the Feinstein Foundation.
”This is a period when we don’t usually get a lot of donations so this is great timing,” said Social Services Chairwoman Maria Polanski. “We’re hoping to get as many donations as possible during this time and to bring the community together for a common cause.”
Ms. Polanski said the pantry can get up to $40,000 from the drive and is hopeful the community will show its generosity to help the approximately 215 families currently receiving aid.
”Usually the fall and holiday seasons are when we get most of our donations,” she said. “This helps keep us in people’s minds in March and April. There are a lot of people out there who need help and we rely on the extremely generous people in the township to help.”
The pantry needs snack foods, peanut butter, jelly, Parmalat, canned meat and coffee. The pantry asks that anyone who donates a food item makes sure the expiration dates have not passed. The pantry also requests that people number how many food items are in a bag so it can allow its volunteers to focus on sorting the items.
Volunteers also are being sought to help sort food items throughout the drive.
”With the economy and people losing their jobs more people are in need of the food pantry than ever,” said Social Services board member Donna Burzynski. “The need has increased dramatically in the last year for food and emergency assistance for things like utility bills, rental assistance and medicine. Each donation will enable us to help more people fight hunger in these troubled times.”
To donate to the food pantry call 732-329-4000, ext. 7674. For more information on the Feinstein Foundation, visit www.feinsteinfoundation.org.
