Press release from Lunch Break Inc.
On Saturday, May 16, the Red Bank-based nonprofit Lunch Break will hold the 2015 edition of Foodstock, a community food drive. The event will take place at Red Bank Middle School (101 Harding Road) from 10:30 am until 3:00 pm. The collection goal for this year is 100,000 pounds.
The 2015 Foodstock will include refreshments, live entertainment and children’s activities, with all members of the community encouraged to bring your family and friends, enjoy good music and good food, and be a part of a good cause — an organization that acts as the first line of defense for thousands of vulnerable residents of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, and serves more and more people each year.
Click the graphic to enlarge for details on the 2015 Food and Fund Drive, including a list of the most needed items, and the 100,000 Pound Challenge matching donations campaign.
According to Lunch Break executive director Gwen Love, in 2014 more than 1,000 families depended on Lunch Break’s pantry each and every month for groceries to feed their families. That amounts to hundreds of thousands of pounds of food which Lunch Break must purchase at local and national retailers and wholesalers, as well as the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. This means there is a constant need for food to stock the pantry shelves. Summer is especially difficult, with schools closed and many people on vacation — but hunger doesn’t take the summer off.
For more than 32 years Lunch Break has provided, free of charge, life’s basic necessities for community members in need, including clothing and fellowship in addition to food. In 2014, along with having served nearly 63,000 hot meals and provided groceries for families from the pantry, Lunch Break also offered internet access for job seekers; employment information; social, health and wellness recources; everyday as well as professional and special occasion clothing; the Adopt-A-Family holiday gift program; cooking classes for children; Community Dinners; a weekly Community Gardener’s Market; disaster relief when needed; and a place for guests and clients to gather for fellowship, hope, laughter, compassion, and more.
If you are unable to come to the May 16 event, Foodstock donations can be delivered, from now through June 30, directly to Lunch Break’s donation area at the rear of 121 Drs. James Parker Boulevard in Red Bank. Donations are accepted Monday through Friday from 9 am to 2 pm and on Saturday from 9 am to noon. If you have more than 300 pounds of food, or too much for you to physically handle, please call in advance of your arrival at (732)747-8577 extension 3102, and help will be arranged.
If you would like more information about the Foodstock food drive and/or the event, please visit the Lunch Break website or e-mail [email protected]. Lunch Break can be found on Facebook, and followed on Twitter.
