Food pantry thanks its many supporters for holiday season assistance

South Brunswick is truly a community to be proud of. Every year for over 30 years this township has helped those less fortunate to enjoy a wonderful holiday season. This year with the help of some truly incredible volunteers, we sorted and packed up food and gifts for 160 families.

Our volunteers worked tirelessly since early November. You all know who you are, and Jeanne and I know that you did it from your heart and were happy to help! We are so blessed to have the wonderful people we do in this community who want to give back by volunteering.

People were more than generous. And when the word went several times in the local newspapers and through the community that our pantry was low, the pantry was filled within days. Thank you again to all of you who participated in one way or another.

Our schools are an incredible source of pride in South Brunswick. You do so much in support of us and those we serve. Every school collects food for us at the holidays and often throughout the school year as well. I want to thank Brunswick Acres, Constable, Monmouth Junction and Greenbrook schools for their multiple adoptions of families, as well as Crossroads North, Crossroads South and the high school. A special “thank you” goes out to Ms. Gina Welsh, who coordinated 17 families among the large group of participants at the high school, as well as the three groups who donated food gift cards in the amount of $740.

I also want to thank St. Cecilia’s Church for adopting 10 families for the holidays, as well as Christ the King Church, the Lions Club, National Council of Jewish Women, Impact Unlimited, Canon, The Goddard School, Dianne Johnston and Dr. Paula Sjolund, who all adopted multiple families. There are many other individuals, businesses and organizations who donated to our program or adopted families as well, too many to mention. But thank you, thank you, thank you!

Jeanne and I also want to thank the two coordinators of the Salvation Army Kettle drive, Frank Gramieri and Jen Vogel. Countless hours were put in preparing and organizing bell ringers. They worked nonstop for four weekends in a row. We also want to thank everyone who volunteered by ringing the bell from council members, township staff, students and the general public. All moneys donated stay right here in South Brunswick and are administered by our staff as needed in emergencies.

We want to extend our thanks to Victory Packaging in Dayton for their continued support of what we do. They provide boxes and tape all year long to the food pantry, and this year also donated gift cards when we ran out of turkeys. We want to again thank Ashley Furniture for their wonderful donation to a family in need of beds, making the best holiday ever for that family, helping their 9-year-old son’s wishes come true.

Our programs could not run without the support of the township staff, most importantly the Public Works Department. We thank you! And a special thanks this year to those of you who came in and volunteered time in the food pantry. Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and peaceful new year!

LouAnne Wolf

Director of Social Services

Jeanne Wert

Assistant

South Brunswick Township