Rise gives hundreds of food items to needy
There are hungry people, including children, living in East Windsor and Hightstown.
Rise serves as a central location for those battling hunger within the area.
An independent nonprofit entity, Rise strives to “assist local families and individuals in recovering from setbacks and achieving their full potential.”
The organization was founded in 1967 under the name Community Action Service Center Inc. It became a private, nonprofit agency in 1982. Its name was transformed to Rise in 2008.
There has been an absolute increase in families needing food assistance as a result of the current economic crisis and high levels of unemployment, according to Ms. Leslie Koppel, executive director of Rise.
However, about 70 percent of all registered families at Rise include at least one working parent.
“People are working,” Ms. Koppel said. “It’s just very difficult to make ends meet.”
Rise offers a no-questions-asked lottery for fresh food, including items donated from Whole Foods. There are typically 35 tickets up available for individuals on Mondays, according to Ms. Koppel. People get tickets in the morning and return to the food pantry at 11:30 a.m. to pick up the food.
Ms. Koppel noted it is a hard time of the year for children home from school or day care.
Such institutions typically provide food to children of low-income, nonworking or unemployed parents.
On Mondays there is a lottery system, and people must come early to ensure that they can get tickets for food.
Wednesdays, as on Mondays, food is given away without questions, however, there are no lottery tickets distributed. Typically, on Wednesdays, food is drawn from the organization’s dry food supply and features many nonperishable items such as canned goods.
On Tuesdays, Rise provides USDA food, including cheese, milk and eggs, to roughly 200 registered families who meet specific federal requirements. In additional, more than 180 other families are registered to receive food from the Rise food pantry Mondays and Wednesdays. Currently, 382 families are registered for these programs through Rise.
The food pantry, 225 Franklin St., Hightstown, is open 51 weeks a year.
“Your heart breaks when there isn’t enough food,” Ms. Koppel said.
On average, Rise hands out 1,200 bags of food per month, she said. Of the families registered, there are nearly 700 children fed through the Rise Food Pantry.
Juliana Badulescu, case manager and food pantry coordinator, said, on average, four to five individuals donate no more than 10 bags of food items per week.
She said it is usually different people who donate each week to Rise. Thus, the food items always vary.
For instance, two boxes of pasta were left outside of the organization’s door Monday morning.
The Food Bank Network of Somerset County is donating zucchini, cucumber and tomatoes to Rise’s Food Pantry, Ms. Badulescu said.
Often, people simply call Rise to see what food items are needed that day, she said.
Thirty-five people came for food July 20, many representing large families including children. Forty-five people were at Rise’s door for food by 8:30 a.m. July 18, Ms. Badulescu said.
This Monday, almost 40 individuals came for lottery tickets for items from the food pantry. While there is a limited amount of food, the organization strives to feed all those in need at its doorstep.
“We never turn away anybody,” Ms. Badulescu said. “We try to do our best. We didn’t have enough food (the other day so) we went to buy. We went to the farmers market to buy food. If people are waiting in line there, they need food.”
She said Rise has many stories of single mothers relying on the food pantry to help feed their children.
Food donations are encouraged from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Wednesday. If that time is inconvenient for anyone, he or she may call the main office. Rise will adjust its schedule to accommodate the donor’s time requests accordingly, Ms. Badulescu said.
When asked what she sees on people’s faces after they receive food from Rise, Ms. Badulescu’s answer was simple.
“Happiness. They are so happy,” she said. “You will be amazed.”
Right now, 20 volunteers from the community work at the food pantry. Since June 30, these volunteers have donated 1,110 hours helping to feed the hungry.
However, one thing Rise is in need of is more baby supplies.
There were 205 baby supply bags distributed in 2010, which included items such as diapers, formula, baby food, wipes and diaper cream.
However, only 99 baby supply bags have been handed out this year. More donations are needed, Ms. Badulescu emphasized.
“We have a lot of babies,” she said. “We need more (vital items) for babies,” including diapers for infants and toddlers.
Additionally, Rise handed out 225 personal care bags in 2010, which included items such as soap, shampoo and conditioner.
This year, more than 242 bags of personal care items have been handed out to families in need.
While Rise relies on the generosity of local volunteers and donors, businesses such as Whole Foods in West Windsor and Target in East Windsor provide, on average, weekly food donations to the food pantry.