Nov 27, 2017
Food drive kicks off on Monday, December 4 and runs through Friday, December 15
Beginning Monday, December 4 and continuing through Friday, December 15, Atlantic County residents are encouraged to place non-perishable food items at the curb on their recycling collection day as part of the 27th annual Holiday Food Drive. Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) recycling crews will collect the food in conjunction with regularly scheduled recycling pick-ups.
Sponsored by ACUA, the Holiday Food Drive gives residents an easy and convenient way to help the needy while helping the environment. All food collected through the Holiday Food Drive will be distributed through the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Southern Branch, which provides the donated food to more than 300 partner charities for distribution to those less fortunate throughout Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties. These charities include emergency food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and other charitable feeding programs.
“We are thrilled to partner once again with ACUA on this incredibly successful food drive, said Richard J. Uniacke, vice president of Southern Branch, Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “The items collected by ACUA recycling crews will be an important part of our efforts to feed hungry families at this difficult time of year. It’s heartwarming to see that so many Atlantic County residents donate top quality food so their neighbors may eat. We couldn’t do it without you.”
The Community FoodBank is looking for donations of food items, especially canned soups, meals in a can, peanut butter and jelly, canned tuna and other meats, and cereal. Please do not include perishable or frozen items, or food in glass jars.
“In the Community Food Bank’s southern branch service area of Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland Counties, there are estimated to be almost 25,000 food-insecure children alone, not counting adults,” said ACUA President Rick Dovey. “We truly hope that the convenience of ACUA’s food drive encourages as many residents as possible to donate to this year’s effort. It’s heartbreaking to think there are so many in need, right here in Atlantic County,” Dovey added.
Last year, residents donated 26,087 pounds of non-perishable food items. “We are hoping at minimum to meet, and hopefully exceed, that amount this year,” said Dovey.
To participate, just fill any bag or box with your donation and leave at the curb on your recycling day between December 4 and December 15.
Atlantic County residents not serviced through the ACUA curbside recycling program can participate by bringing their donations to the ACUA at 6700 Delilah Rd., or to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey at 6735 Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township.
To learn more about how you can help, contact the Community Food Bank of NJ, Southern Branch, at (609) 383-8843 or visit www.cfbnj.org/southernbranch. For information about ACUA’s Food Drive, call (609) 272-6950 or visit www.acua.com/fooddrive.