South Brunswick Kids Team Up to Aid Less Fortunate

For the second summer in a row, a group of South Brunswick kids is spending their break offering a helping hand to people in need.

Calling themselves "Food for Friendz," the eighth grade students spent last summer selling baked goods at township events to raise money for the American Cancer Society. This year, the group is back in action raising money for the South Brunswick Food Pantry.

"These are young middle school kids who did something last year for the American Cancer Society and this year are helping us," said township Social Services Director LouAnne Wolf. "They went out full force with a tent set up at the Independence Day fireworks collecting money and walking around for donations."

The group, consisting of Shivam Agrawal, Shreya Agrawal, Apoorva Goel, Pragya Goel, Nikita Jadav, Nikhil Jadav, Sumedh Kamath, Daksh Prashar, Sukriti Prashar, Richa Patel, and Ritu Patel, formed last year with a goal of helping cancer patients after a friend's father died from the disease.

"We thought it would be a great idea to sell food because we want to help the community," Sukriti said last year.

At the recent Independence Day event, the group spent 12 hours planning, preparing and carrying out their goal, raising $550 for the food pantry. 

"These are kids who are thinking ahead and doing community service from now until they graduate, and hopefully into the future," Wolf said.

The donations come at a time when the pantry is in dire need of support. 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. 

"Food For Friendz" will be back out working to help the pantry Friday night at Family Movie Night in Beech Woods Park, located at 137 Beekman Road in Kendall Park starting at 7:30 p.m. The movie "Dr Seuss: The Lorax" begins at dusk.  In case of rain, the event will be held at the Community Center, located at 124 New Road in Monmouth Junction.

The pantry is still in need of the following items:

• Boxed milk
• Snack foods (granola bars, popcorn, crackers, etc.)
• Canned meats (chicken, chili, stew)
• Canned vegetables
• Canned fruit
• Laundry soap
• Cleaning supplies
• Personal care products (shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, tooth paste)

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

"Our philosophy is that charity begins at home," Wolf added. "These kids are learning that at a young age and it's wonderful to see them helping our community."