PLUMSTED: Emergency workers aim to help the hungry

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
PLUMSTED —Local emergency services workers have teamed up with area businesses to Camp Out for Hunger during the holiday season.
“This is a first for us; we change our activities each year,” said Josh Jamison, who is a firefighter and emergency medical technician with Plumsted Township Fireman’s Mutual Benevolent Association Local No. 89 in an email on Nov. 15.
Last year, the department participated in the Toys for Tots program.
“The food banks need food,” he said. “They can’t fulfill their mission of helping others if no one helps them gain food.”
He said they are asking for non-perishable food items.
Items will be collected until Nov. 28 and donated to Philadelphia radio station WMMR’s Camp Out for Hunger to help Philabundance, a non-profit organization that has been helping people in need since 1984.
According to the website, here is a list of the most-needed non-perishable foods: canned shelf-stable tuna, macaroni and cheese, canned pasta, canned beef stew, canned chili, creamy peanut butter, jelly, canned green beans, canned corn, canned fruit, breakfast cereal and hot cereal.
Anyone donating is asked to choose products that are in boxes, cans or plastic bottles and that do not have to be refrigerated. Bread and baked goods are not suitable because of their short shelf life. Items should be recently purchased and in good condition, according to the website.
“Our residents help us out tremendously, but if they are willing we are accepting non-perishable food items,” he said.
Items can be dropped off at the following locations: New Egypt Fire Company, 59 Main St., Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.; New Egypt EMS, 32 Brynmore Road, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; New Egypt Market Place, 53 Main St., during business hours; or Laurita Winery, 35 Archertown Road.
“The challenges we are facing are the inability to get the word out that we are collecting,” he said “Once the word gets out our residents and local businesses always help out.”
According to its website, all donations benefit Philabundance, dedicated to feeding the hungry of the Delaware Valley.
“We are grateful of their continued support over the past few years. Activities and drives like this wouldn’t be possible without them,” he said. 