Town-Wide Food Drive in September
The Township of Washington is one of six municipalities in Morris County competing in McMATCH, a county-wide drive to gather food to help restock the shelves at the Interfaith Food Pantry and other local food providers.
Despite being ranked as one of the wealthiest counties in the nation, hunger and food insecurity remain as prevalent as ever. At the Interfaith Food Pantry and Resource Center, which serves residents across all of Morris County, more than 688,000 pounds of food was distributed last year to help feed 12,500 people. Through the summer months, IFP and other agencies run critically low on supplies, as regular food drive sponsors – scout troops, schools, churches and the like – take a hiatus during vacation season.
“The community has always been supportive of its volunteers and non-profits and I anticipate the food drive will be a huge success,” Mayor Ken Short said. “Collecting food for our local food pantry at the Long Valley Presbyterian Church is done continuously by the Boy Scouts at the weekly Green Market, amongst others. Our municipal employees will be competing against each other, as will our local schools and I implore the community at large to also help restock the shelves during Hunger Awareness Month.”
Non-perishables can be dropped off at the Long Valley Green Market at 20 Schooley’s Mountain Rd. on Sept. 20th from 3 to 7 p.m., at the Municipal Building at 43 Schooley’s Mountain Rd. and the DPW Building at 54 Rock Road during office hours from now until Sept. 20. Collections for the food pantry are also accepted on an ongoing basis at Hoffman’s Supply at 35 East Mill Road. The Washington Township schools will have bins at their main entrances for donations.
