Mountaineer aims to reach new heights in helping feed hungry

By PJ CANDIDO
Staff Writer

 Jason Friedman of Edison is using his passion for mountain climbing to help those in need through Hands of Hope, an Edison nonprofit that provides food to the hungry throughout the community. Jason Friedman of Edison is using his passion for mountain climbing to help those in need through Hands of Hope, an Edison nonprofit that provides food to the hungry throughout the community. A man’s passion for mountaineering is making a positive difference by benefiting people in need.

Jason Friedman, 40, of New Brunswick, is set to climb Mt. Whitney in California, from Oct. 3 through Oct. 6. The tallest peak in the continental United States, Mt. Whitney tops off at 14,505 feet.

His undertaking has been dubbed “Hike for Hunger” and the community can donate to his effort. The funds will go directly to Hands of Hope, a nonprofit, communitybased organization committed to alleviating hunger in the Edison area.

“I think that it is important to support their cause of feeding the less fortunate people in the area,” Friedman said.

Friedman, who is married with an 8- year-old son, is a council representative for the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters in Edison. He said he has been involved with rock climbing and mountaineering for about eight years now.

“Rock climbing is an intense, personal sporting event,” Friedman said. “It focuses the mind to everything that is within arms reach of you.”

Jackie Goedesky, who helps at the food pantry’s soup kitchen, said it is great that Jason volunteers for the Edison community.

“I am so grateful for Jason taking us on as his personal charity,” she said. “It is really cool, and we need these donations to make it through the holidays.”

Last September, Friedman climbed Mt. Rainer in Washington to draw attention to the plight of Edison residents who are facing food insecurity. He said he has been working with Hands of Hope food pantry for three or four years now. Goedesky said Friedman has been amazing for the organization.

“Last year he raised over $7,500, so that was a really big help for us to get through the winter months,” she said. “Last year as an organization, we provided food for over 13,080 people.”

Friedman said he plans to climb as long as he is physically able to do so. He said fear certainly creeps in, but it is important to manage that.

“It takes you away from all the distractions of life, because you are focused on the task at hand,” he said.

Goedesky said the food pantry stays very busy, and the help Jason provides is really appreciated.

“It is rewarding for him and certainly rewarding for us,” she said. “He did great last year, and he is aiming for a bigger goal this year.”

Part of achieving that goal involves training in the time leading up to the climb, according to Friedman.

He said the trip to Mt. Whitney will begin with a flight to Las Vegas. From there, he will rent a car and drive to Northern California where he will hike to the mountain and attempt to climb it.

“If I successfully climb it the first attempt, I can climb other spots for fun,” he said. “If not, I will have a second day to attempt the climb again before I leave.”

To donate, visit www.handsofhopenj.net or send a check payable to “Hands of Hope” with “Hike for Hunger” in the check’s memo line to Hands of Hope P.O. Box 1057 Edison, NJ 08818.