By VASHTI HARRIS
Staff Writer
With an evening complete with cheese, wine and playbills, Two River Theater in Red Bank will be putting on its latest play, “Women of Padilla,” to raise funds for the nonprofit organization, Lunch Break.
For one night only, Lunch Break will be holding a pre-show cheese and wine reception on April 28 at 7 p.m. at Two River Theater, according to Lunch Break’s press release.
After Lunch Break’s pre-show reception, the play will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are a donation of $75 per person and must be purchased through Lunch Break, according to the press release.
Through the power of food, faith, laughter and each other, eight women find a way to carry on life at home while their husbands are away at war. Inspired by the heightened lyricism of the renowned playwright and poet Federico Garcia Lorca, this beautiful new play shows there is always a way, even through the hardest of times, to set love free, according to Two River Theater’s press release.
All donations earned will be used to purchase food for Lunch Break’s soup kitchen, according to Development Director Kate McMahon.
Serving people in need for over 20 years Lunch Break provides various social services ranging from a mentorship program to community dinners.
“Thirty-four years ago, Lunch Break [began] as a small soup kitchen serving lunch to local residents in need. Today, we are one of Monmouth County’s most vital social service agencies and serve people from every town in Monmouth County and beyond providing food, clothing, fellowship, mentorship, homebound meal delivery, Community Gardeners’ Market, cooking classes for children, access to social services and more,” McMahon said.
“We provide help for today [and] hope for tomorrow to thousands of Monmouth County residents who rely on us for life’s most basic human needs. All are welcome, and all of Lunch Break’s services are free to those in need.”
Last year Lunch Break’s soup kitchen served over 50,000 free meals to people in need while also providing a place for community fellowship.
“Our soup kitchen served 67,078 hot, nutritious, free meals in 2016. Lunch Break provides a four-course meal and an inviting environment that many members of the community come to for fellowship,” McMahon said.
By collaborating with Two River Theater to put on this one-night charity event, Lunch Break is hoping to raise $3,500, according to McMahon.
“We have a long history with the Two River Theater and we want to support other organizations. We have been blessed to receive the friendship and support of Bob and Joan Rechnitz, founders of the theater as well,” McMahon said.
In recent years, several programs have been added to the Lunch Break roster of services such as the Children’s Cooking Class Program and the Saturday breakfast, which is sponsored by several area churches. Its vision is to lead the region as the comprehensive food, nutrition and life skills resource for community members in need, according to Lunch Break’s website.
“[People of] all ages are welcome to volunteer [at Lunch Break]. ‘Give local, stays local, helps locals’ — that’s our motto — giving back to your community. Feel good [and] do good, right in your own backyard,” McMahon said.
To purchase tickets to see “Women in Padilla” on Lunch Break’s charity night, contact Kate McMahon at [email protected].
For more information about Lunch Break, go to www.lunchbreak.org/about-us/.
Contact Vashti Harris at [email protected].