FoodBank: Need for food donations greater this year

In order to meet the increasing need for food, The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties in Neptune is encouraging the community at large to sponsor and support local food drives, donate turkeys or food items at area drop-off sites or make monetary donations by mail or on www.foodbankmoc.org.

According to a press release from the FoodBank, with the economy still unsettled and unemployment continuing to rise, new faces are being seen at local food pantries at an alarming rate.

In 2008 more than over 12,000 turkeys were distributed to meet the requests from local pantries and emergency feeding programs. This year as requests for food have already increased between 25 and 35 percent, the FoodBank is again asking for help from the community.

According to the FoodBank, thanks to many area businesses, there are numerous drop-offs in this area: Nonperishable food can be dropped at Circle BMW in Eatontown, Woodward Realty in Middletown, Diane Turton Realtors in Rumson as well as Quikie Print in Shrewsbury. Turkeys and perishables can be dropped at all area WindMill restaurants, Grainger on Industrial Way in Eatontown, Ice King & Cold Storage on Route 35 in Tinton Falls and the ShopRite on Highway 36 in Long Branch.

Donations may also be dropped off at the FoodBank facility located at 3300 Route 66 in Neptune on weekdays from 8 a.m to 7 p.m. through Nov. 25. On the weekends of Nov. 21-22 the FoodBank will remain open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. as well. Food can also be left at drop-off points in both counties where donations are picked up regularly by FoodBank trucks. Additional drop-off locations can be found on www.foodbankmoc.org or by calling 732-918-2600.

The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, a member of Feeding America, secures and distributes 5.2 million pounds of donated food annually to a network of approximately 270 hunger relief organizations in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Those organizations include emergency food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters as well as other hunger relief organizations.

The FoodBank is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit whose mission is to provide food for as many needy people as possible. For more information, see the website or call 732- 918-2600.