The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties wants to bring the community together to ensure that every New Jersey family has food on its table.
The food bank will host its 2015 Boots and Bling Humanitarian Food Bank Gala on April 24 at the Monmouth University Multipurpose Activity Center, West Long Branch. Tickets for the gala are $250 per person.
The cocktail hour and silent auction will begin at 6 p.m., followed by an awards presentation, dinner and live entertainment starting at 7:30 p.m.
The event will feature an acoustic performance by country music singer John Rich of Big and Rich. For more information, visit www.foodbankmoc.org.
The 2015 Humanitarian Award will be presented to Wegmans supermarket and Jules Plangere Jr., chairman of Press Communications.
Kyra Citron, director of Kid’s Corner, an organization designed to help empower children, will receive a junior humanitarian honor.
The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties is the primary provider of food and services to more than 300 partner agencies, including shelters for homeless individuals and neighborhood food pantries, according to Lori Sayde, press and media liaison for the food bank.
Last year, the food bank provided about 10 million meals. One in every 10 people in Monmouth County receives help from the organization.
“The food bank also offers free income tax preparation, advising on affordable health care, food stamp enrollment and culinary training programs so individuals can get into the workforce,” Sayde said.
The agency is instrumental in providing food to families in need in central New Jersey, according to Monmouth County Freeholder John Curley.
“The food bank oversees the entire population. We currently have 19,000 food stamp situations in the county and many who need assistance are not getting it [because they] make too much money with their unemployment. It is an awful situation,” Curley said. “I want to congratulate the food bank on the great humanitarian efforts they do each day. They are truly doing God’s work.”