Community Corner

Annual Thanksgiving Food Bank Distribution a 'Community-Wide Effort'

The Lacey Food Bank is serving more families since Hurricane Sandy

More than 200 families in Lacey received turkeys today after the Lacey Food Bank’s annual thanksgiving meal distribution.

“It’s really a community-wide effort,” said Harvey Allen, President of the Forked River Rotary Club. Both Walmart and Shoprite made donations for the meals and the Forked River Rotary Club as well as Lacey Township High School Interact Club volunteered at the distribution.

Students arrived at 7:15 a.m. to unload truckloads of food. They organized the tables and placed one of each food item—turkey, peas, carrots, bread, stuffing, cranberry sauce and more—in a bag. As food bank clients came, a student would walk the bag out to their car.

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“I love helping people, especially during times like this,” said Marisa Juliano, Vice President of the Interact Club, pointing out that many families are currently displaced due to the recent hurricane.

The food bank delivered meals to 24 Waretown families and 25 turkeys to Barnegat.

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The food bank currently serves 265 families. The number grew significantly since Hurricane Sandy with 14 new families, according to Allen.

“We’re looking at supporting families that have been displaced,” Allen said. The food bank is supporting the Lacey United Methodist Church’s efforts.

The food bank was serving 224 children and now has 274 since October, Laura Caroccia of the Lacey Food Bank said.

“We’re seeing already the affects on the communities as people come home and start recovery,” Caroccia said. “We have not turned anyone who needs food away.”

Although the thanksgiving distribution was specifically for clients, those who have been displaced since Hurricane Sandy can stop by the food bank on Station Drive on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 9 a.m. for food, Harold Peters of the food bank said.

To become a client of the food bank, residents should go to the Municipal Clerk’s office.

“We’ve become more than a food bank,” Caroccia said. The food bank offers a variety of programs and social services.

For emergency situations, residents can call 609-242-2848 for assistance.

The food bank is also in the process of collecting new toys and clothing for Christmas.


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