Fighting Hunger in South Brunswick

The challenge has been put out to residents of South Brunswick to once again answer the call for the township's less fortunate. The Feinstein Foundation's 15th annual Challenge to Fight Hunger is set to run from March 1 through April 30.

"By partnering with the Feinstein Foundation, it has helped to raise awareness so people understand that the less fortunate don't just need food during the holidays, but all year long," said Social Services Director LouAnne Wolf. 

Each year the Feinstein Foundation challenges 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 the agencies participating in the challenge. 

Each food item donated is valued at $1 per item.  The more donations the pantry receives, the more money comes in from the Feinstein Foundation. 19,703 food items and donated $46,126 in cash to the pantry during the Challenge to Fight Hunger. South Brunswick generated the 8th highest donations total in the state of New Jersey.

"We were overwhelmed, overjoyed and thrilled with the outpouring of both monetary and food donations last year," Wolf said. "It surpassed our holiday donations."

The South Brunswick Food Pantry does more than just provide food for the less fortunate, however. The also provides emergency assistance to indigent members of the community by helping families with utility bills and rental assistance. This is funded by donations from schools, clergy, small and large businesses, and residents.

The Challenge to Fight Hunger comes at a time when the need in South Brunswick is greater than ever.

"Every week we're seeing new families come in for assistance," Wolf said. "We see on average about 12 to 16 families per week. Their unemployment is ending and they just can't make it from point A to point B.

"I saw one person who broke their leg and they can't even make it here to pick up food. She's living in a hotel room with her husband and five kids. The demand is there. These people need food."

In addition, Social Services is also providing assistance in paying rent, water bills and PSE&G bills to the less fortunate.

"We hope that the schools jump on the Challenge. I know during the week of March 15 they hold a drive for M.C.F.O.O.D.S (Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services)," Wolf said. "We don't use food from M.C.F.O.O.D.S so I just ask people to remember that we have need right here in South Brunswick. Our motto is that charity begins at home."

The Challenge to Fight Hunger has helped to raise $1 billion dollars for over 2,000 anti-hunger agencies across the U.S. since the hunger drive's inception.

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 and dated after March 1.

To find out more about the Feinstein Foundation visit www.feinsteinfoundation.org.

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

• Coffee 
• Parmalot/boxed milk 
• Rice 
• Boxed potatoes 
• Snack foods
• Paper products (toilet paper, paper towels)
• Personal needs products (deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.)