Summer Food Drive a Success

A food drive last week at township summer camps is going to go a long way.

The Department of Recreation, Parks and Community Services held its eighth annual Camp Cares food drive last week, with campers donating more than 1,000 pounds of food.

“The drive went very well,” said Recreation Supervisor Karen Kecskes. “We probably collected 1,100 pounds of food from all the camp sites. We had 48 to 50 bins.”

Each July, students attending the Kool Kids, Super Stars, Summer Scene and Daisy camps are asked to bring in food to replenish the .

Kecskes said the township uses the the food to serve 20 East Brunswick families in need, with the remainder going to MCFOODS and to the .

“Families, single moms, working moms trying to stretch a dollar, the working poor,” said Kecskes when asked to describe those the township serves. “I have one mom who said something to me once a few years ago that stuck in my head. She was distraught and said ‘I don’t know if I should feed my kids or my car. If I can’t get to work I can’t feed them, and if I feed them I can’t get to work.

“She is a single mom of four kids, and she’s working and trying to keep it together. A lot of people are in that situation this year,” she said.

Kecskes said the drive brings in more food each year, with this year’s being the most successful to date.

“Every year it’s been a steady 900 to 1,000 pounds and every year it goes up,” she said. “Plus, we get food here in the office and give it to residents in town.

Items that are most needed are peanut butter, jelly, brown rice, tuna fish, macaroni and cheese, canned fruits, meats, stew, vegetables, pastas, paper products, toiletries, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, baby supplies and diapers and wipes. Please donate canned and packaged goods only, no glass, and check the expiration date before donating.

“We take everything. We like donations of gift cards occasionally because it helps families purchase dairy items and meat - things you can’t get at food bank. It helps supplement what they get.” Said Kecskes.

Donations can be given all year. Bring donations to the East Brunswick Department of Recreation, 350 Dunhams Corner Road.

In addition, if you are in need of assistance, contact Kecskes at 732-390-6797.