PLUMSTED – An organization that supports local businesses is giving back to the community during the holiday season.
The Plumsted Business and Merchants Association (PBMA) has teamed up with other organizations to provide holiday dinners to families in need and to make downtown New Egypt a more festive area for visitors.
For more than a decade, the PBMA has led an effort that collects food and money for families in need. This year the association is estimating that more than 125 food baskets will be provided to area families. Each package will contain canned foods and a ham, among other items.
PBMA President Herb Marinari, who also serves on the Township Committee, said the number of local families in need has grown steadily in recent years.
“The number of food baskets increases every year as the number of needy families increases due to the economy,” he said.
Marinari said the PBMA relies on a collaborative effort with local businesses and organizations each year.
“We have been working with the Plumsted Township School District for more than 10 years to deliver these meals to needy families,” he said.
Marinari said the PBMA works with the New Egypt Marketplace to purchase food at a discounted price. He said local business owners support the effort by donating food and funds.
Residents are also invited to assist the campaign. Donations of non-perishable food will be collected during Plumsted’s tree lighting ceremony at the municipal building at 6 p.m. Dec. 5.
The PBMA is providing snowflake lighting decorations along Main Street in downtown New Egypt. The decorations were purchased three years ago with PBMA funds and have been used ever since.
“The members of the PBMA and I hope [the township’s] holiday season is brightened and uplifted by those beautiful snowflakes,” Marinari said.
Officials said this year’s snowflake decorations were made possible in part by the J.A. Wig Construction & Electric company which installed the lights, and Big Woods Garden Center and Nursery which decorated Main Street with Christmas decorations.
Marinari said the PBMA pays the electric bill associated with the holiday lights. Individuals who would like to assist with that may make a donation to the Plumsted Business and Merchants Association, P.O. Box 38, New Egypt, NJ 08533.