Curbing Hunger Program Officially Launches Monday

The county kicked off its Curbing Hunger program in a special ceremony Monday at the Food Bank Network of Somerset County in Bridgewater.

This is the 19th annual food drive to help boost food supplies at the network, the Franklin Township Food Bank and other Somerset County food pantries.

The Curbing Hunger food drive is held throughout June to benefit organizations that help the hungry.

In addition, this year there is an online option to donate food by clicking here. YouGiveGoods will deliver the food directly to the local food bank.

“Many families are still struggling due to the extended recession and Hurricane Sandy,” Freeholder Director Peter Palmer said in a release from the county. “The demand at our food banks continues to exceed supplies on a regular basis. You can help by filling your orange bags, or any plastic grocery bag, with canned goods and placing them at the curb on your recycling pickup days in June, or by donating online.”

Orange plastic bags were distributed to county households in May, and donated items can be placed in the bags and left at the curb on regularly scheduled recycling collection days from June 3 through June 28.

Among the items on the list of those needed are Parmalat milk, canned meat, pasta, stews, canned tomato sauce, canned fruits and more.

Marie Scannell, executive director of the Food Bank Network, said in the release that they are now serving more than 800 families a month, or more than 3,000 people.

“We’re really looking forward to the Curbing Hunger Month food drive to be a success,” she said. “We rely so heavily on these donations to keep our shelves stocked.”

Since the Curbing Hunger program began in 1995, and been expanded to other counties, more than 2 million pounds of food have been collected statewide, with more than half a million in Somerset County alone.

The Somerset Patriots will also be hosting Curbing Hunger Night at TD Bank Ballpark June 12.