West Orange Community Comes Together For Holiday Food Drive
Seasonal & Holidays
West Orange Community Comes Together For Holiday Food Drive(Photo courtesy of Cynthia Cumming)
WEST ORANGE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Holy Trinity-West Orange Food Pantry. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.
Now in its 21st year, the HTWO Food Pantry has seen unprecedented growth in the number of families in need of food. It began with the pandemic, when out-of-work individuals were struggling to make ends meet. In 2020, the pantry provided food for 40,000 people. In 2021 and 2022, it was 25,000 people, and is on track for the same in 2023. Partnerships with the Community Food Bank in Hillside and MEND (Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity) have provided much needed food and grant funding, but the pantry must depend on the community for donations of money and food.
As of Nov. 17, the number of community turkeys was precipitously low. The pantry needed at least 300, promised to current clients, and an additional 100+ for those on a waiting list. Less than 150 turkeys were accounted for. On Nov. 20, the West Orange High School Football team, along with volunteers, arrived at the Dunkin Donuts on Valley Road to find 517 turkeys waiting. Distribution began that evening and continued into Tuesday. Not only did all clients and waiting list families receive turkeys, there was an additional 140 available to give to those that showed up in the hopes of getting one. Any leftovers go out for the December holidays.
“We have always depended on the kindness of strangers,” said Pantry Administrator Cynthia Cumming, “but after many years of support, our community has become part of our family. Despite the upheaval in our world today, the West Orange community has taken to heart the words of Franklin Delano Roosevelt: “The test of our progress is not whether we add to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.”
See all the photos HERE , and click on the “I” button for information on each photo.
There are so many people to thank! Karen Boettinger, Pantry Coordinator, and the volunteer team, Barry Geltzeiler and his annual turkey drive (a record), Bagels by Jarrett for collecting 230 turkeys in two days, Adam Goldman and Dunkin Donuts for holding the turkeys, the WOHS Football team for loading the truck, the Shauger Group for donating 50 turkeys and side bags, Girl Scout Troops for donations and assembling side bags, United Presbyterian Church for bringing side bags down to the pantry, the Mayor’s Sunshine Fund for 15 turkeys, Crystal Pointe, for donating over $1,600 in Shoprite gift cards and 20 side bags, St. Cloud, Gregory, and Kelly Elementary for pies, Hazel Elementary and Liberty Middle School for food donations and funds, the West Orange Police Department and Police Auxiliary for providing security, the Orange Fire Department for 20 turkeys, TLE – The Learning Experience, the Goddard and Primrose Schools for food donations, Frank’s Pizza, and all the unsung heroes who make up the West Orange Community.
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