The community answered the local nonprofit’s call for help, moving two dozen refrigerators and 30,000 lbs of inventory to its new location
November is often regarded as the dawning of holiday festivities and participation in local charity initiatives. But for the volunteers at Burlington Township Food Pantry, what should have been their busiest season for service quickly transformed into a nightmare before Christmas.
On Nov. 10, Moonbeam Capital Investments, the owners of the ailing Burlington Center Mall, issued an eviction notice to the nonprofit, giving the small team of volunteers only 30 days to move industrial equipment and countless donations ahead of the mall’s closure this spring. In a turn of the tables, the Burlington Township community rallied to help BTFP, and two months later, President Mickey Folinti and Director Domenic Zulla say the doors of their new, upgraded home on Route 130 are open to people in need.
Zulla said his initial attempts to contact Moonbeam and request an extension resulted in three unanswered messages and not much sympathy for the pantry’s plight. After Zulla explained the pantry, which serves about 80 families a week, did not receive the eviction notice until 12 days past the date it was issued, Moonbeam’s legal team said the best they could do was give BTFP until Dec. 22.
“I didn’t get the letter on Nov. 22, and I thought, ‘There is no way in the world we can get this done in 30 days,” Zulla recalled. “Are you for real? Do you know what kind of undertaking it is to move a food pantry with 24 refrigerators and 30,000 pounds of inventory?”
The answer to Zulla’s question, as it turns out, was two trucks, five men, 48 hours and, thanks to the altruism of a local business owner, zero dollars. Robert Kandetzke, owner of Simonik Transportation & Warehousing Group, saw BTFP’s plea on Fox 29 News Philadelphia and hurried to assess the situation.
With the eviction deadline looming, Kandetzke, his men and 35 other volunteers from around the township had little time to waste. Burlington Stores, which BTFP praised as “wonderful people,” donated their property at 1200 Route 130 for the operation to use as its homefront.
Folinty said the pantry was able to continue providing its services through the holidays, but much to the volunteers’ chagrin, the move forced BTFP to close until the Food Bank of South Jersey could inspect and approve the new location.
“We had to shut down for two weeks, which is the most heartbreaking thing I’ve ever done,” Zulla said. “It wasn’t easy on my part. I knew the need is out there, and I’m getting phone calls every day.”
Despite the inconveniences and undue stress that accompanied the pantry’s eviction, Moonbeam’s sudden decision was a blessing in disguise, Zulla said. The experience has not only given BTFP a bigger and better space to serve the hungry, but demonstrated how much of an ally they have in the Burlington Township community.
Folinty said he’s grateful to the Burlington Center Mall for housing the pantry for four years, and even more grateful to everyone who turned their crisis into good fortune.
“We thank everyone in the community for all their support and help. It’s important that they know we appreciate the effort that they made, even phone calls and emails offering words of encouragement,” he added.
The Burlington Township Food Pantry plans to have its grand re-opening in late February or early March. To contact the pantry for food assistance, call 1–888–847–3278.Services are available to those who live, work or worship in Burlington Township,
