The Burlington Township Food Pantry gears up for its annual Race for the Hungry Holiday 5K
Stephen Finn
The Sun
Since 2008 the Burlington Township Food Pantry has been serving people in its community who are in need. According to the pantry’s website, the services it provides are available to anyone who lives, works or worships in Burlington Township.
“The overall mission here is to give food with dignity. Let them feel like they’re part of the world that should be,” said Director Dominic Zulla.
To accomplish this mission, its staff of volunteers give of their own time to stock the pantry shelves and help give out food during their weekly distribution times. According to the food pantry’s president Miklos Foltiny, the pantry serves around 75 to 85 families a week.
“During the holidays it’s closer to 100,” said Foltiny.
The pantry is looking for donations to fill that extra need. Turkey and canned goods go a long way helping families during the holidays when needs tend to be greater.
To help raise funds, the pantry is holding its annual Race for the Hungry Holiday 5K at Green Acres Park on Old York Road in Burlington Township on Dec. 1. The course is USA Track and Field certified and runners of all experience levels are invited to join.
“It’s a great community event, people come not only from Burlington but from all over the state,” said Foltiny. “It’s an opportunity for the community to get together and help people in need.”
At this year’s 5K, the panty is bringing back the Fun Run portion, consisting of one loop around the park, to encourage family participation. There will be music, snacks and a visit from Santa for the kids.
The food pantry has weekly distribution hours every Wednesday morning at its headquarters at 1200 North Route 130 when doors open to the public. A number of the people who volunteer their time to distribute food were once in need themselves.
When Rosa Downing retired from nursing, she wanted to give back to the people who had helped her when she needed it and spread that kind of help to others in the community. She volunteers regularly with the food pantry.
“At one time, I was on the same food line,” said Downing.
It meant a lot to Downing when she came to the food pantry and they helped her, no questions asked.
“You go down to welfare and they give you such a hard time. I came here, I needed food and they gave it to me. Now I give back,” said Downing.
Like Downing, volunteer Thelma Gibson also went through a tough time when she needed assistance.
“I was one of the clients that would come here because I was out of work. I had a sprained ankle. They helped me out so much with food and clothing,” said Gibson.
She was so grateful for the help that when her ankle healed and she got back to work, she returned to the food pantry and asked how she could volunteer.
“It’s so rewarding,” said Gibson. “On this side of the fence, giving back and knowing I was once there too. It’s like a reward, it gives you so much joy and inspiration.”
To learn more about the Burlington Township Food Pantry, sign up for Race for the Hungry or find out how you can volunteer, visit their website at btfoodpantry.org.
