Haddonfield Food Pantry Finds New Way To Collect Donations

HADDONFIELD, NJ — A church in Haddonfield will use a hybrid method to help families in need of food beginning this fall.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Lutheran Church of Our Savior Social Ministry Committee began collecting monthly grocery gift cards for families who use their food pantry.

Families told church officials they like the flexibility those cards provide. Officials said they also learned there is dignity in the ability to buy your own groceries.

As a result, the church is making two changes:

• Instead of food delivery twice a month, they will pack and deliver groceries once a month; and
• Instead of using donations to buy groceries, they will use that money to buy grocery gift cards (half of what they are currently getting monthly).

“Our Pantry Families are still in need,” church officials said on their website. “Please continue your generous monetary donations. When you have the opportunity, please continue to donate groceries to the grocery cart to help re-stock the Pantry.”

As of Monday, the food pantry was in need of canned tuna, canned chicken, canned vegetables and canned fruit.

The church is located at 204 Wayne Avenue in Haddonfield. It can be reached at 856-429-5122.