By Audrey Levine, Staff Writer
Library event to launch summer, food drive programs
With a combination of music and charity, the library is hoping to bring in donations for the local food bank, while providing an afternoon of bluegrass music.
To help build up the local food bank’s supplies, and to kick of the library’s summer reading program, the Friends of the Hillsborough Public Library will be hosting Mark Miklos & the Raritan Valley Ramblers for an evening of traditional bluegrass and country music June 26.
”We decided to do this program to kick off the library’s summer reading program, ‘Water Your Mind…Read,’” said Carol Elfo, program coordinator. “The library has reading programs annually in the summer for all age groups, children, teens and adults. We decided to also take this opportunity to collect food items for the food bank here in Hillsborough as June is curb hunger month and we wanted to help.”
The program, which begins at 2 p.m. Ms. Elfo said, is free to the public, but registration is required and attendees are being asked to donate sealed food items to assist in replenishing the township food bank.
Replenishing the food bank is something that the township would welcome, particularly at this time of year when people are heading out on vacations, said Director of Social Services Tom Ormosi.
”Generally things slow down as far as donations over the summer,” he said. “As the year goes on, people go on vacation and they forget.”
Although Mr. Ormosi said there are certain churches in town that consistently hold fundraisers throughout the year to benefit the township food bank, there are certain items that are often lacking, namely paper towels, toilet paper, shampoo, deodorant and other similar materials.
”It is a never-ending struggle to have those items available,” he said. “People do an extra effort when we say we need those things.”
At this point, Mr. Ormosi said, there are about 100 families registered with the food bank, with about 80 of those being regulars there. Generally, he said, the food bank works with about 20 families per week.
”We’re growing as the economy worsens,” he said.
But, Mr. Ormosi said, instead of seeing people in particular jobs who need assistance, such as landscapers and other such positions, he is seeing more people who have simply been unemployed for a long while, and are having difficulty making ends meet at this point.
”We have a general core of people, and now we have an additional core,” he said.
Mr. Ormosi said the bank accepts both group and individual donations at any time. While he said the bank is doing fairly well with collecting food at this point, the other products are essential now.
”But we do leave it up to the people donating,” he said. “The amount of food we get is cyclical.”
As for the library program, Ms. Elfo said registration has just begun, but she is hoping to get as many people as there is capacity to fit guests. It would be best to register early to ensure a spot, she said.
In terms of the idea to have a bluegrass band perform, Ms. Elfo said the library has not yet had an opportunity to host this style of music.
”Because bluegrass music has such wide appeal, we thought it would be a good choice,” she said. “We have music programs in the library throughout the year, but we have not had the opportunity as of yet to do a bluegrass concert.”
In addition to the musical performance, Ms. Elfo said, WDVR FM Rural Radio personality Frank Bruno will present a history of the American roots of bluegrass music before introducing the band, who has opened for performers like Ricky Skaggs, LeAnn Rimes, Lee Ann Womack and Blake Shelton.
There will also be an instrument workshop for children. Children can bring an instrument (violin or guitar) and the musicians will teach them how to play.
Ms. Elfo said she hopes the offering of music will entice people to come out and support the township’s food bank.
”That is our goal,” she said. “We are looking forward to providing for our patrons a super afternoon of family fun and entertainment.”
To register for the library program, call 908-369-2200 ext. 12, visit the website at somerset.lib.nj.us or visit the Adult Services desk at the library.
To donate items directly to the township food bank, bring them to the municipal building on South Branch Road.