County-wide food drive ends April 30

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that they still have time to donate to the County-wide food drive benefiting the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
“Our generous residents have already donated more than 2,000 pounds of food, but we can’t stop now,” said Freeholder John P. Curley. “We still have time to put more food on the FoodBank’s shelves.”

Collection bins will be available at many County locations, including the County Hall of Records, Agriculture Building, Care Centers, Longstreet Farm, Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Belford Ferry Terminal and Monmouth County branch libraries. That includes Link area libraries such as Ocean Township, Oceanport and West Long Branch.

Food items suitable for donation are non-perishable, protein-rich foods such as peanut butter, granola bars and tuna fish. Other most needed food items are ready-to-eat canned meals, canned fruits, canned vegetables, instant potatoes, canned and dry soup, canned pork and beans, canned juices, sip-size juices and hot and cold cereal.

This is the County’s fourth consecutive April food drive. To date, Monmouth County residents have helped send 25 tons, more than 50,000 pounds, of non-perishable food to the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

“The County’s libraries and parks are the public gathering places in many communities, so it makes sense that our libraries and parks are key collection points for this annual food drive,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry. “The other donation locations are places where our residents often do business with the County, so we are providing convenient locations for employees and residents.”

The County’s partnership with the FoodBank stems from a situation in 2012 in which the County Social Services office was experiencing a backlog processing applications for food stamps. Curley, as liaison to Social Services, declared a food stamp emergency in Monmouth County and immediately hired part-time clerical workers to help ease the backlog.

“When people get turned away from food stamps they turn to the FoodBank,” Curley said.