Twice each week, more than 40 representatives from pantries, soup kitchens, churches and social service agencies across the county file into the Middlesex County food bank for scheduled distributions.
On average, they collectively leave the Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services (MCFOODS) with a total of 30,000 pounds of food for the thousands of clients that they routinely serve.
But on a recent afternoon, 10 50-pound bins of surplus food were all that remained at the East Brunswick site.
“We can’t give enough thanks to the individuals, businesses and organizations that continually help bring in food for the needy and underprivileged residents of our county,” said Jennifer Apostol, a project manager with the Middlesex County Improvement Authority, which oversees MCFOODS. “But we’re losing more and more independent food drives and it’s difficult to overlook.”
On average, recipients of MCFOODS donations collectively leave with a total of 30,000 pounds of food for the thousands of clients that they routinely serve.
In recent weeks, dwindling donations have reduced that number to around 20,000 pounds, forcing MCFOODS to stretch resources thin.
“There are no communities immune from poverty and hunger,” Apostol said.
Organizers are calling on everyone from businesses owners to school and church leaders to community groups and sports teams to sponsor a food drive. While MCFOODS provides collection bins, flyers and pick-up and delivery, Apostol acknowledges that not everyone has the capability to take on this challenge.
And for those individuals, there are alternatives, she says.
Apostol notes several permanent library drop-off sites that are scattered throughout the county, including in East Brunswick, Edison, Metuchen, Milltown, Monroe, Perth Amboy, Piscataway, Plainsboro, South Amboy and Woodbridge.
Another avenue for giving would be to donate to locally sponsored MCFOODS drives.
One to keep in mind is the upcoming East Brunswick High School’s 33rd Annual Marching Band Competition and Food Drive, which will take place on Oct. 24 at the Jay Doyle Football Field, 380 Cranbury Road.
Another highly successful collection is the Fall Harvest Food Drive in which Monroe’s senior communities pool their nonperishables to help feed the hungry.
“In helping others, we in part are helping ourselves,” said Middlesex County Freeholder Deputy Director Carol Bellante. “In giving back, we stress the importance of civic engagement to our children, we boost our own morale and we make our communities a better place in which to live.”
For more information, visit www.mciauth.com/mcfoods.htm.