South Brunswick Off to Record Pace in Challenge

The South Brunswick Food Pantry is in the midst of a different type of March Madness that has seen a record high number of donations from the community.

In the first two weeks of the Feinstein Foundation's annual "Challenge to Fight Hunger," South Brunswick's Social Services Department has already exceeded 50 percent of last year's entire donation total for the two-month long challenge.

"The response from the township residents and businesses continues to be very generous," said Carol Mazzarella of the Social Services Department.

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. 

Last week, South Brunswick gave $5,231.80 in monetary donations, along with 1,932 food items, for a Challenge total of $7,163.80.

The cumulative total for the first two weeks of the annual drive is $38,484.80, over 50 percent of the $70,459.77 that was collected in 2012.

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