Community Corner

Food Pantry Facing Depleted Shelves as Holidays Arrive

Despite recent donation efforts, an increased need from South Brunswick's less fortunate in the wake of Hurricane Sandy have emptied the supplies of the township Food Pantry.

With a record high number of families coming to South Brunswick Social Services for aid, the once stoked shelves of the township Food Pantry have left the department scrambling as the holiday season arrives.

Social Services has packed almost 200 sets of boxes for the less fortunate on Thanksgiving, but the last 70 boxes are missing important items 

"We have packed up food to date for 102 families and about 20 individuals and singles without children, and have at least 70 to 80 more," said Social Services Director LouAnne Wolf.  "More families come in and sign up every day."

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Following Hurricane Sandy, Social Services is provided food to those living at the township emergency shelter after being displaced from their homes with temperatures dropping. The department received a boost after local efforts contributed to three full van loads delivered to the Food Pantry. 

But the increased need quickly depleted those supplies.

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"We need the continued generosity of the community to ensure these families have a bountiful Thanksgiving," Wolf said. "We have had a multitude of volunteers who have been amazing, thank you all. We hope to make this a memorable Thanksgiving for these families. Thank you all for donating to us."

The following items are needed to help fill the remaining Thanksgiving boxes for the less fortunate:

  • Bottled water
  • Boxed brownie and cake mixes, icing, pie crusts, and pie fillings such as pumpkin, apple, etc.
  • Healthy low fat/low sugar snack foods (granola bars, crackers, cookies, snack packs, etc.)
  • Coffee
  • Canned corn and green vegetables
  • Canned Beans and canned tomatoes
  • Supermarket Gift Cards
  • Boxed Milk (Parmalat & Borden's)
  • Peanut butter & jelly
  • Stuffing
  • Canned turkey gravy
  • Canned cranberry sauce
  • Canned sweet potatoes
  • Cornbread muffin mix
  • Chicken broth
  • Frozen/fresh turkeys, fresh or canned hams
  • Oatmeal and boxed cereal
  • Pancake mix and syrup
  • Canned tuna

To donate or volunteer for South Brunswick Social Services, call 732-329-4000 ext. 7674.

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