By JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer
NORTH BRUNSWICK — The need and the value of the North Brunswick Food Bank has grown since this program was launched 20years ago.
The food bank, which was started by Ann Marie McHugh on Nov. 1, 1996, first assisted 25 people a month. Now, about 135 families of 350 people visit the basement of the municipal building once each month to receive provisions such as food, toiletries, backpacks and books for children —and H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Eat).
More than 20 volunteers, including director Kathy Aruta, make bags, stock shelves and assist clients from 10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday and from 6-8 p.m. every Thursday. Some volunteers are well into their 80s or 90s, while students from Linwood Middle School help during the holidays. Many are part of the Knights of Columbus at Our Lady of Peace church.
“I couldn’t do it without them,” Aruta said of her volunteers. “They keep it going.”
The number of families has increased steadily since 1996, and more so after the economic crisis of 2008, but has stabilized the past few months. Aruta said the ethnic makeup of the town has changed in the past two decades, as have the number of 50-year-olds who have lost their jobs as well as elderly who cannot live off of Social Security alone.
“We really fill a need. I think there are a lot of people in town who are just not making ends meet. One small bump, and it goes down from there. I don’t want people without food. I don’t want children without food. I don’t want the elderly without food,” Aruta said.
Therefore, the food bank heavily seeks donations from the public or from a corporate/business sponsor as it only receives a limited amount of grant money to operate.
“The price of food is going up, the number of families is going up, but donations are down,” she said.
The requirements to receive assistance from the food bank include residency in North Brunswick; a low income; a valid New Jersey driver’s license; a recent phone, utility or rent bill; a school ID for students; and proof of pay stubs, welfare form, SSI or food stamps. A Social Security or county ID card will not be accepted as proof.
The North Brunswick Food Bank is in need of donations for the holidays as clients receive a special bag for Thanksgiving and before Christmas. Through Nov. 18, items such as green beans, corn, cornbread mix, gravy, cranberry sauce, pie crust, pudding, stuffing mix, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, peanut butter, and coffee and tea are requested. The food bank will also accept gift cards to local supermarkets to go toward a turkey.
However, donations are sorely needed all year round, especially after the holidays and during the summer months, when children are home from school and do not receive free breakfast or lunch. Commonly requested items include canned vegetables, soup, stews, peanut butter, jelly, jam, pasta, tomato sauce, rice, beans, macaroni and cheese, tuna, canned fruits, juice, pudding or Jell-O, powdered milk, snacks, cereal and oatmeal. All food should be unopened and unexpired.
Parmalat milk, diapers, toiletries and gift cards are also in high demand.
Donations will be accepted at the municipal building, 710 Hermann Road; at the library, 880 Hermann Road; or through Project LEAL.
“We do all this on the goodness of the people of North Brunswick,” Aruta said. “Remember us when you’re in the grocery store.”
The food bank also provides coats for children, gloves and scarves, backpacks, school supplies and an extra bag of food in July for students.
Aruta and mayoral assistant Janice Larkin also provide holiday gifts to families in need through Operation Holiday Cheer.
In the future, however, Aruta said she hopes there is no more need for the food bank.
“Ideally, we should be out of business,” she said.
For more information, to make a donation or to become a sponsor, call Aruta at 732-247-0922, ext. 293.
Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].