Unemployment Takes its Toll on South Brunswick's Less Fortunate

The months of April and May were particularly kind to the South Brunswick Food Pantry, as a record number of donations flooded in.

However, shelves that were filled to the brim just a short time ago now sit barren, as the need from the township's less fortunate continues to rise.

"We're seeing a lot of people whose unemployment has ended, or they're working jobs where they're underpaid," said Social Services Director LouAnne Wolf. "We even have people who aren't coming in for aid, but are just calling for information. People are falling so far behind and have been out of work for so long that they’re just trying to get caught up."

During the recent Feinstein Foundation "Challenge to Fight Hunger," South Brunswick residents and businesses donated a total of $55,187.05 in monetary donations, and 30,875 food items to Social Services over a two-month span. 

Unfortunately, the donated food was quickly drained as Social Services saw over 150 families in April and May, with an average of three new families per month. April alone brought the second highest total ever for the pantry at 76 families. 

Historically the summer is a very slow time for donations with school out of session, but Wolf thought the flood of aid during the spring would help bridge the gap from the summer to the new school year. 

"That's what is really scary, that even with the Feinstein Foundation challenge the stuff went out faster than it came in," Wolf said. "It leaves me really concerned for the summer because I can't call the schools and ask them to do a food drive. We're talking to people with summer camps and will try to do something with them."

With the increase in donations that comes from school food drives still months away, Wolf is hoping that the generosity of South Brunswick residents will shine through over the summer.

"We've just been so busy that it’s emptying our shelves," Wolf said. "They've been empty for awhile." 

The South Brunswick Food Pantry is in need of the following items:

• Juice
• Coffee
• Pasta
• Healthy snack foods
• Jelly
• Canned fruit
• Chef Boyardee canned pastas
• Soups
• Canned corn
• Canned tomatoes
• Beans
• Canned meats such as stew, chili, canned chicken, tuna, etc.
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Laundry soap    

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