SOUTH BRUNSWICK – Feinstein challenge finishes $18K ahead of last year

By Mary Brienza, Staff Writer
   The Feinstein Challenge ended on April 30 with a total of $65,829.20 in donations, an increase over last year’s total, according to Director of Social Services LouAnne Wolf.
   The monetary donations during this year’s drive totaled $36,126.20 and another $19,703 was collected from food donations and there was also a $10,000 pledge, Ms. Wolf said.
   Ms. Wolf said the township participated in the drive last year, where they raised a total of about $47,000, with $31,000 of the money from monetary donations and $16,000 in food donations.
   ”I am thrilled beyond words at how well we did,” Ms. Wold said in a statement. “In these difficult economic times that people continued to donate to us is overwhelming. This is why I do what I do.”
   Mayor Frank Gambatese said he was very pleased with the success of the program, and on how the township residents are aware of those residents that are in need.
   ”(I’m) very pleased with the program,” Mr. Gambatese said.
   Ms. Wolf said earlier that the donations had an immediate impact on township residents in need, and that these donations help social services continue to help people throughout the year as a result of this drive.
   Social services will never turn away those who need food, Ms. Wolf said.
   ”Just because our numbers are good, please don’t stop donating, we count on the public and the community’s support to keep us going,” Ms. Wolf said earlier during the drive.
   While more food donations are given from September to December, during the Feinstein
   Challenge, more monetary donations are given, Ms. Wolf said.
   Those cash donations help provide money for rent and utilities to residents that meet the criteria, Ms. Wolf said.
   The Feinstein Foundation was founded in 1991 by the nationally known philanthropist and humanitarian Alan Shawn Feinstein, according to the organization’s website.
   As part of its annual challenge, the foundation will divide $1 million proportionately among more than 1,750 agencies from all 50 states that are participating in the challenge, and each organization will receive a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $35,000, Mr. Feinstein said earlier.
   The Feinstein Foundation Challenge ran from March 1 until April 30, and the results will determine how much of the $1 million dollars the township food pantry will receive, Ms. Wolf said earlier.