Burlington County officials, the United Way of Burlington County, and local non-profit agencies are extending the food drive to help stop hunger in our area through Sept. 16.
Officials are asking Burlington County employees and Burlington County court employees to continue to collect much needed food items for food pantries. Residents and local businesses are also being asked to continue to donate non-perishable food, money or food gift cards to their local food banks or to Catholic Charities and Christian Caring Centers. These two agencies are distributing all collected items to pantries across the county.
“We continue to urge county residents and local businesses to join our efforts to help stop hunger in Burlington County,” Burlington County Freeholder Mary Ann O’Brien said. “Many more residents are in need of food and supplies after the devastating effects of the hurricane and floods.
“We need to make sure all of our neighbors know we are all here to support them,” she added. “Together, we hope to fill our local pantries with enough food for everyone.”
Collection boxes can be found throughout county buildings. Sheriff Jean Stanfield, who orchestrates a successful toy drive each year, has enthusiastically agreed to assist in the collection process.
“County employees have been extremely generous in donating food to this drive,” O’Brien said. “We hope to be able to collect more food so that there will be less of a stress on pantry resources.”
Food banks are most in need of donations during the summer months, when donations are traditionally lower.
The food banks are in desperate need of food items or food store gift cards so that they can purchase items that are in more demand.
The food banks need:
• breakfast bars;
• canned meals, such as macaroni and cheese, ravioli, beef stew, spaghetti and meatballs;
• canned items such as soup, tuna, vegetables, and fruits;
• boxed or bagged items such as cereal, noodles, pasta, rice, crackers, and stuffing;
• jarred items such as jelly, peanut butter, and pasta sauce;
• bottled items such as juice;
• shelf milk;
• and baby food.
Donations can be made to:
St. Vincent DePaul — Medford
1 Jones Road, Medford, New Jersey
(609) 953–0021
