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SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Legislators donate to food pantry

By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
   The three legislators from the 16th District stopped by the South Brunswick Food Pantry last week with items collected at the various district offices.
   ”We thank our caring constituents for their contributions, which certainly helped alleviate the pantry’s struggles in matching donations with their increased distribution to families in need,” Sen. Christopher “Kip” Bateman, R-Somerset, Hunterdon, Mercer and Middlesex, said. “It is an honor and duty to help the pantry’s resilient community, so that they may continue providing to those down on their luck or homeless.”
   The local pantry has been struggling to keep up with a record number of families asking for help this year, according to Social Services Director LouAnne Wolf.
   ”We are better than we were a month ago, but still in need,” Ms. Wolf said. “We saw 79 families last month so its just continuing (to be)very busy. It was wonderful to meet our newest legislators and see that they have a deep interest in seeing what we do here and making the donation of food they had collected.”
   Sen. Bateman was joined by Assemblymen Jack Ciattarelli and Donna Simon, also both Republicans representing the district.
   ”Although our communities are very generous and the food pantry volunteers work very hard, we just cannot keep up with demand,” Mr. Ciattarelli, R-Somerset, Hunterdon, Mercer and Middlesex, said. “It’s important to remember the families in our community who need food and school supplies for their children.”
   The 16th District covers Branchburg Township, Hillsborough Township, Manville Borough, Millstone Borough, Montgomery Township, Rocky Hill Borough and Somerville Borough in Somerset County; Delaware Township, Flemington Borough, Raritan Township, Readington Township and Stockton Borough in Hunterdon County; Princeton Borough and Princeton Township in Mercer County; and South Brunswick Township in Middlesex County.Despite the donation, Ms. Wolf said many items are still sorely needed to keep up with the increased demand.
   Those items include; canned coffee, canned vegetables, peanut butter and jelly, healthy snacks, canned fruits, boxed milk, boxed potatoes, boxes grains, canned tomatoes, pancake mix and syrup, canned chicken, tuna, stew and chili, pastas, water and juice.
   Donations of items or money may be made at the municipal building on Route 522 during the week, according to officials.
   ”Our hearts go out to those in need 365 days a year,” Ms. Simon, R-Hunterdon, Somerset, Mercer and Middlesex, said. “No family should be without food and I encourage everyone to reach out and support families in need.”