By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
More than 1,000 baskets full of Thanksgiving dinner fixings were distributed to needy families by HomeFront last year, and with the holiday two weeks away, demand for those baskets has not diminished.
That’s why HomeFront is seeking help from township residents and businesses to fill those baskets and deliver them to its headquarters at 1880 Princeton Avenue by Nov. 19. HomeFront is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The goal is to prepare baskets for 1,500 families, but so far, only 400 have been pledged, said Connie Mercer, executive director of HomeFront. The nonprofit organization helps the homeless and the working poor.
The drop in the number of pledges may be the result of an early Thanksgiving, plus the preparations and the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Ms. Mercer said. People are not necessarily focusing on preparing Thanksgiving baskets, she said.
”(But) for families that are having a really hard time, Thanksgiving matters,” Ms. Mercer said. “Every mom wants to make sure her children have a real Thanksgiving, regardless of how bad things are. They want to feel like they are part of America. It’s part of the culture.”
The people who donate to the Thanksgiving drive have remarked that “it’s what makes Thanksgiving” meaningful for them, she said. HomeFront serves as an avenue for people who want to help, but who do not know what to do or where they could be helpful.
Meanwhile, HomeFront is asking for donors to prepare baskets of food for the families. Boxes and bags are always appreciated, especially if they are decorated. But it is not necessary to decorate the box or bag, she added.
The baskets, boxes or bags should contain canned vegetables, fruit and cranberry sauce, as well as dry boxed mashed potatoes and stuffing mixes. Glass containers should be avoided. Fruit juice and dessert items also should be included, plus anything else that would make a family’s Thanksgiving meal special, such as a tablecloth, napkins and plates.
Gift certificates for frozen turkeys, which are available at grocery stores, should be included. The family can redeem the gift card at the grocery store to purchase a turkey. HomeFront’s pantry does not have enough space for frozen turkeys.
While food for Thanksgiving baskets is appreciated, the need to feed families does not end after the holiday. That’s why HomeFront is asking donors to include food to feed the families for another week, after the leftovers are gone.
Tuna, canned or dried beans, beef stew, macaroni and cheese, canned or evaporated milk, cereal, pasta, tomato sauce, rice, and peanut butter and jelly would be appreciated, Ms. Mercer said. Donors can also make a financial contribution $46 for Thanksgiving, and/or $136 for a week’s worth of food.
For more information, contact Stephanie by email at [email protected], or 609-989-9714, ext. 133.

