Lunch Break will host its annual community picnic and backpack giveaway on Aug. 20 at Count Basie Field, Red Bank.
The resource center that is based in Red Bank is also sponsoring its annual Back to School Drive which will benefit hundreds of financially insecure children and their families who rely on the social service resource center for life’s basic necessities, including school supplies. The Back to School Drive will run through Aug. 20.
Each year during the annual community picnic, upwards of 600 backpacks containing school supplies are distributed to families who do not have the financial means to adequately prepare their children for the upcoming school year, according to a press release from Lunch Break.
This year’s community picnic will take place from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at Count Basie Field and will feature healthy nutritional picnic food, sponsored by Lunch Break, Eat Clean Bro and other community partners, in accordance with Lunch Break’s nutrition initiative Healthy Together, as well as games for all ages and the annual softball championship, all free of charge to community members.
Individuals who would like to donate backpacks and school supplies, including pens and pencils, looseleaf binders and paper, erasers, pencil cases, highlighters, among other traditional items, may do so from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at Family Promise of Monmouth County, 501 Malterer Ave., Oceanport.
“We are grateful to our generous community for helping us to prepare our children for a successful school year. Every child, no matter his or her financial situation, deserves a chance to succeed. These necessary supplies are among the ways we can motivate our youth to engage in the learning experience,” Lunch Break Executive Director Gwendolyn Love said.
For more information, contact Youth Director Marcel Quinones via email at [email protected] or call 732-747-8577, ext. 3011.
Lunch Break freely provides food, clothing, social services, fellowship and life skills to individuals who are struggling with financial insecurity as a path to well-being and self-sufficiency, according to the press release.