Somerset County residents are encouraged to participate in an Aug. 16 food drive.
Somerset County Freeholder Deputy Director Patricia Walsh announced on Aug. 12 that the next “Buy One, Bring One,” better known as “BOBO,” food collection for county residents in need is Aug. 16.
BOBO Fridays occur every third Friday of the month, but anyone can donate at any time at the locations listed below.
“More than 20,000 residents in Somerset County are food-insecure,” Walsh said in a statement. “Donations will help ensure food bank supplies can keep up with demand. The program has collected more than 45 tons of donations since its inception in 2010.”
Look for the blue BOBO Fridays bins at these county locations: Somerset County Administration Building, 20 Grove St., Somerville; Park Commission Headquarters, 355 Milltown Road, Bridgewater; and Lord Stirling Stable, 256 S. Maple Ave., Basking Ridge.
Local libraries hosting the bins include the Bound Brook Memorial Library, Bridgewater Library, Manville Library, Mary Jacobs Memorial Library (Rocky Hill), North Plainfield Library, Peapack-Gladstone Library, Somerville Public Library, Warren Township Library and Watchung Library.
Towns that have a BOBO Fridays bin in their municipal building are Bedminster, Bound Brook, Franklin, Green Brook, North Plainfield and Raritan. There is also a BOBO bin at the Far Hills-Bedminster First Aid Squad headquarters.
Canned or boxed food items are accepted. For examples of healthy foods to donate, visit http://bit.ly/DonateHealthy. The bins are available every day during regular business hours and donations may be dropped off at any time.
The food collection program is conducted on the third Friday of the month; however, drop-off times will be affected when county and local government offices are closed for holidays. County library branches may be open with limited hours on certain holidays.