Driving Against Hunger in South Brunswick

On Christmas Eve as many people gathered with family and friends to celebrate the holiday, some South Brunswick residents gathered together to help bring a little joy to the less fortunate. 

Through the charity Drive Against Hunger, Monmouth Junction resident Azra Baig hosted a group of soccer players from the club FC Copa to make over 200 bags of food to be distributed to the homeless in Newark.

"We want the kids to see how blessed they are and how much they should appreciate what we provide them," Baig said. "They get to see how important it is to help people who are less fortunate than they are and to always remember them."

Through Drive Against Hunger, founder Zamir Hassan takes food and clothing directly to the homeless by working with soup kitchens throughout New Jersey. He also distributes food and clothing to the needy in areas around Boston and Washington D.C.

"(Zamir) saw that not as many homeless people are coming to soup kitchens anymore, and there's a need to get food and clothing to them, so he asked for my help," Baig said. "Thank God we are blessed with many friends."

As part of FC Copa's community service work, about 25 parents and kids gathered to volunteer their time to serve those in need right before Christmas.

"I thought the whole the experience was fulfilling. Spending my Christmas Eve helping others to have a little happiness just felt right," said Emily Jurcsek, of the U16G Aventura squad. "It was a good feeling knowing that just a few minutes can touch the lives of others. I think we all got a chance to realize how blessed we really are. It was a great experience, and I look forward to our next mission." 

Baig's daughters Samia and Sunna called the hunger drive a great learning experience to see how the less fortunate live, cold and hungry with nowhere to go. 

"I feel that the Drive Against Hunger Van Program was a great way to give back to the community," said Sunna, who plays on the U15G Valencia squad. "Together we are able to take action and change one life at a time. It's heartbreaking to know that one in six Americans struggle with hunger. Hopefully, by continuing with this program, there will be no hungry people living on the streets."

Distributing food to the hungry at the Newark Penn Station, hundreds of bags of food were gone in minutes as scores of homeless people received a small piece of holiday cheer thanks to the efforts of the volunteers.

"We were aware that homelessness existed but we did not imagine the severity of the situation until we were able to distribute about 200 lunch bags in about a half hour's time," Baig said. "The homeless were very appreciative and we hope to continue to support the less fortunate."

For more information about Drive Against Hunger click here.