Food Pantry Approaching Donations Record

With the rest of April remaining, the South Brunswick Food Pantry looks like it will race passed last year's record donation total in the Feinstein Foundation's annual "Challenge to Fight Hunger."

Last week, South Brunswick's Social Services Department received $8,021 in monetary donations and 1,110 food items. Those donations brought this year's total to $61,651.80, which is $8,807.97 shy of the 2012 total of $70,459.77.

"Once again, the residents and local businesses continue to support the pantry and the Feinstein Challenge," said Carol Mazzarella of the Social Services Department. "We also received an in-kind/non-food donation of $5,000 from Stop & Shop in Monmouth Junction."

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.

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. 

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

Challenge to Fight Hunger

Money Donated

Food Items Donated

Total Challenge Credit

Week 1

$17,057 

14,264

$31,321