Nov. 26, 2021, marks the 25th anniversary of the opening of the North Brunswick Food Bank. The food bank has served the North Brunswick community, providing H.O.P.E – “Helping Other People Eat” – feeding 150 families per month on a regular basis.
Through the years, as with any organization, the food bank has experienced challenges. COVID, for example, required much thought as to how to safely distribute food to all residents in need. That challenge was met and the food bank has been providing a safe, socially distant distribution of food for the last 18 months, serving 7,000 families: 19,000 people.
Most recently the food bank, while still operating under COVID protocols, encountered another challenge. On Sept. 1, Tropical Storm Ida hit the North Brunswick Municipal Building with catastrophic results. Housed within that complex was the North Brunswick Food Bank, which suffered devastating losses.
In addition to all the food that was destroyed in the flooding, the food bank lost all five freezers and all three refrigerators.
With some quick thinking and community members coming together and pitching in, the food bank was able to temporarily relocate distribution to the Our Lady of Peace Parish Center parking lot, and began receiving donations at the North Brunswick Senior Center.
In the coming days, the North Brunswick Food Bank will be fully operational for both receiving donations and safe, socially distant food distribution at the North Brunswick Senior Center, 15 Linwood Pl., North Brunswick. Donations can be dropped off Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Food distribution for North Brunswick residents in need will be Tuesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursday evenings from 6-7:30 p.m.
The North Brunswick Food Bank appreciates all who have supported their efforts “Helping Other People Eat” for the last 25 years and most recently during the unprecedented times and increased needs encountered with the pandemic.
The food bank welcomes your support of non-perishable food, small denomination gift cards and monetary donations.
Help us restock the shelves and feed those in need.
Thank you from all the volunteers who are dedicated to feeding the needy families of North Brunswick.
Kathy Aruta
President, North Brunswick Food Bank
North Brunswick