Big Week Fighting Hunger in South Brunswick

If the opening week was any indication, the annual "Challenge to Fight Hunger" could bring a record number of donations to the South Brunswick Food Pantry.

Township Social Services received $17,057 in monetary donations and 14,264 food items for a total of $31,321 in challenge credits.

"We are off to a great start and had a terrific week, thanks to the generosity of the township’s residents," said Carol Mazzarella of the Social Services Department. "This is the fourth year of our participation in the challenge and (Social Services Director Lou Anne Wolf) and I think that one of the reasons for such a great turnout in week one is that our residents know that we do this event annually.  Many of our community groups have already scheduled food drives, and we had several residents walk in with checks in response to this event."

Each year, from March 1 through April 30, the Feinstein Foundation's Challenge to Fight Hunger asks anti-hunger agencies across the country to raise funds and collect as many food donations as possible.  Alan Shawn Feinstein, founder of The Feinstein Foundation, then divides his donation of $1 million proportionately among approximately 2,000 agencies participating in the challenge. Each food item donated is valued at $1 per item. 

South Brunswick was able to generate the eighth-highest donation total in the state of New Jersey last year with $43,534.77 in monetary donations and 26,925 food items. In 2011, South Brunswick donated 19,703 food items and donated $46,126 in cash to the pantry during the Challenge to Fight Hunger. 

The Food Pantry provides food and gift cards to less fortunate families all year round. Social Services also provides emergency assistance by helping families with utility bills and rental assistance. The department is largely funded by donations from schools, clergy, small and large businesses, and residents, which makes the challenge so vital.

Please send donations to LouAnne Wolf, Director of Social Services, South Brunswick Social Services, PO Box 190, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852. 

Please mark "Feinstein Foundation" in the memo on your check. All donations should be made payable to the South Brunswick Human Intervention Trust Fund. All checks should be dated later than March 1.  

For more information about donating or volunteering for the South Brunswick Food Pantry call 732-329-4000 ext. 7674.  

To learn more about the Feinstein Foundation click here.

Challenge to Fight Hunger

Money Donated

Food Items Donated

Total Challenge Credit

Week 1

$17,057 

14,264

$31,321