FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Joseph M. DiBella, Mayor

1-732-938-4500

June 18, 2006

Support the Howell Food Pantry

The Howell Township Food Pantry is one of the finest organizations in our community. The countless volunteers who operate and support the Pantry provide a valuable service to many Howell families who may not be as fortunate as some. It goes without saying that there is nothing more essential as having food on the table and being able to feed one’s children, an elderly person or an entire family simply struggling to make ends meet. The people that operate our Food Pantry are true heroes who deserve our praise and admiration for their generosity and compassion.

At the summer draws near it is more important than ever to ensure that we support the Food Pantry. Generally, the Food Pantry’s supplies decreases over the summer months as families take vacations and perhaps spend less time in town. It is for this reason that I am reaching out to the community now to ensure that we stock our Food Pantry so we may continue to support Howell families all summer long. The Food Pantry currently provides food and related supplies to more than 80 families per month.

The Food Panty collects non-perishable items. This includes things like boxed cereal, dry pasta, canned goods, soups, peanut butter, crackers, cookies and baby food. In addition, other items that can be donated include paper products, baby supplies and diapers.

The Food Pantry is located at 450 Adelphia Road (across the street from the Pine Landers soccer complex). Their normal hours of operation are every Monday, 8:30am to 10:30am. Simply drop off any items you can donate at the Food Pantry during their hours of operation and they will ensure everything is distributed to the families that use the Food Pantry. The Pantry distributes food and supplies to those that need our help the last Monday of the month and normally provide enough food for 3 to 5 days. Any Howell or Farmingdale resident may use the services of the Food Pantry by simply providing proof of residency.

Supporting the Food Pantry is easy and time is of the essence. This is why as Mayor I am asking all Howell Township families to rally together and support the Food Pantry in any way you can. Every little bit helps.

For example, if you are unable to physically get to the Pantry, something as simple as a $5 donation can make a world of difference in helping to increase their supplies. Simply make your checks payable to the Howell Township Food Pantry. You can send donations to Town Hall at 251 Preventorium Road, Howell, NJ 07731, Attn: Food Pantry.

Also, let me suggest that residents work together and create neighborhood drop off points at a particular person’s home. This way, people with hectic work schedules can coordinate their efforts with a neighbor who may be able to visit the Pantry during the week and drop off a load from an entire neighborhood.  This would be an ideal way to bring people together and showcase what can be accomplished when people work together for a common cause. In addition, perhaps local groups or organizations that meet regularly can ask that each club or group member bring an item or two to their next meeting that can then be dropped off at the Pantry. Finally, if you simply cannot get to the Panty, you can also drop off any items at my office at Town Hall. While I am not at town hall during the day-time hours, someone will be able to collect your items and I’ll ensure that they get to the Food Pantry immediately.

This is our time to shine as a community and to demonstrate the great generosity and compassion that I know our Township has. It is incumbent upon us all to ensure that no resident in our town ever goes hungry. Please accept this challenge to support our Food Pantry. More importantly, let us all do our part in helping to make our community a better place.

In thinking of our Food Pantry, it is also important for me to extend my sincere thanks to the many residents who volunteer their time and their hearts in operating that office.

If you have any questions about this or any issue regarding the township, please feel free to call or email me anytime at MayorDiBella@twp.howell.nj.us.  I welcome your input, comments and feedback about our community. Thank you.

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