WOODBRIDGE – Last year, the annual “Have-A-Heart” food drive netted $27,000.
Township officials are challenging township businesses, retail food service outlets, hospitality industry, corporate businesses and offices, community organizations, schools and residents to see if collectively they can best the amount set last year.
“As we enter the New Year, let’s not forget that there are many less fortunate families throughout Woodbridge Township that need special help each and every day, not just during the holidays,” Mayor John E. McCormac said in a press release. “One of the most important missions I have embraced as mayor is trying to raise public awareness about the need to continually seek donations to keep the township’s food pantries stocked throughout the year. We in Woodbridge recognize that hunger knows no season and no boundary. And, our township knows that it is crucial to work every day to collect food and supplies so we can help provide the necessities of life to our neighbors who might otherwise go hungry.”
The 2019 “Have-A-Heart” Food Drive Challenge kicked off on Jan. 4 and is sponsored by Wegmans, ShopRite, Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce, RSI Bank, Northfield Bank, the Colonia Business Community (CBC), and the Corner News Publication.
The food drive challenges those who can to donate 214 pounds of food or contribute $214.00 to assist the 11 Woodbridge food pantries continue their work providing food and meals to less fortunate residents and the homeless. The drive will end on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.
Since 1995, the annual “Have-A-Heart” food drive, launched each January under the sponsorship of the Woodbridge Department of Health and Human Services and the We Feed Woodbridge Food Bank Committee, has become the most important community program undertaken throughout the entire year.
The food drive is coordinated by Peter Barcellona, chairman of the We Feed Woodbridge Food Bank Committee. Volunteers will come and pick up donations or donations can be dropped off at the Woodbridge Township Public Health Center, 2 George Frederick Plaza, Woodbridge, or the Woodbridge Community Center, 600 Main St., Woodbridge, between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Financial contributions made payable to We Feed Woodbridge, can be dropped off at the Health Center or mailed to Woodbridge Department of Health and Human Services, c/o We Feed Woodbridge, 2 George Frederick Plaza, Woodbridge 07095.
For more information, call 732-855-0600, ext. 5034.
The We Feed Woodbridge Food Pantries include St. James Church, 174 Grove Ave., Woodbridge; Trinity Episcopal Church, Trinity Lane, Woodbridge; First Congregational Church, Barron Avenue; First Presbyterian Church, 600 Rahway Ave,, Woodbridge; First Presbyterian Church, 1295 Oak Tree Road, Iselin; First Presbyterian Church of Avenel, 621 E. Woodbridge Ave., Avenel; St. Cecelia Church, 45 Wilus Way, Iselin; Heavens Helper’s Pantry, 343 Pearl St., Woodbridge; Metro Park Assembly of God, 48 Berkeley Blvd, Iselin; Fellowship Bible Church Food Pantry, 121 East Prospect Ave., Woodbridge; and St. Anthony of Padua Food Pantry, 436 Port Reading Ave., Port Reading.