Community Corner

'Adopt' A Somerset County Family for Thanksgiving

Program aims is make Thanksgiving dinner possible for all in Somerset County.

Written by Linda Sadlouskos

Residents of towns throughout Somerset County are being sought to help make Thanksgiving dinner special for a needy family in their hometown, including Bridgewater, through the fourth annual Adopt-A-Family program being promoted by the Somerset County Board of Freeholders.

“We often hear that people want to help others within their own community,” said Freeholder Patricia Walsh.  “This is a perfect way for residents to earmark donations to help feed needy families in their own or neighboring towns.”

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The estimated cost of a Thanksgiving meal is $40. Anyone wishing to donate may send a check to any of the following local programs:

  • Food Bank Network of Somerset County, P.O. Box 149, Bound Brook, NJ 08805
  • Franklin Township Food Bank, P.O. Box 333, Somerset, NJ 08875-0333
  • Hillsborough Food Pantry, Attn: Social Services Department, 379 South Branch Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844
  • Reformed Church of Bound Brook, Main Street & Clinton Street, South Bound Brook, NJ  08880
  • Samaritan Homeless Interim Program Inc. (SHIP), 87 E. High St., Somerville, NJ 08876

On the memo line of the check, write Adopt-A-Family and the name of the town where the donation is wished to go.

Find out what's happening in Bridgewaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If $40 is difficult for you, any amount will be gratefully accepted, according to information from Somerset County.

The Food Bank Network and SHIP serve residents throughout Somerset County; the Franklin and Hillsborough programs primarily serve residents within those respective towns, while the Reformed Church serves both Bound Brook and South Bound Brook.

For more information, call the Food Bank Network at 732-560-1813, the Franklin Township Food Bank at 732-246-0009, the Hillsborough Social Services Department at 908-369-3880, the Reformed Church of Bound Brook at 732-356-9345 or SHIP at 908-393-9545.  

The donation form may be printed from http://bit.ly/AdoptAFamily2013.

The Adopt-A-Family program was created by Ray Walsh of Manville, who is no relation to Freeholder Walsh. “Our local food banks have seen a tremendous increase in the number of people seeking help during the past few years due to the recession,” Walsh said.

He added that goal of the Adopt-A-Family program is to make Somerset County the first in New Jersey to "feed all of its needy residents.” 


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